Prevalence of Cervical Cancer and the Effectiveness of Cancer Awareness Package on Knowledge regarding Cervical Cancer among Women in Adopted Communities of Omayal Achi Community Health Centre

Abstract

Cervical cancer imposes the large burden on health of the women in developing countries. It is an important public health challenge because of its high incidence and mortality. Its mortality exemplifies health in equality, as its rates are higher in low and middle income countries and in low socio economic status. Around 80% of global cancers are in low middle income countries. Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected at an early stage. Since early detection predicts better prognosis, one of the most effective ways of preventing and controlling cervical cancer is regular screening and early diagnosis and the information, education and communication (IEC) activities. Nursing is the holistic science. Women with cervical cancer require culturally sensitive nursing care to enhance quality of life of women. This can be attained through primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of cervical cancer among women in selected communities. True experimental design was adopted for this study. The independent variable was cervical cancer awareness package and the dependent variable was knowledge regarding cervical cancer. This study was conducted in 8 adopted communities of Omayal Achi Community Health Centre (OACHC), Arakambakam. OACHC is an NGO of Mr. Omayal Achi Mr. Arunachalam trust. The conceptual framework adopted for the study was modified Betty Newman s System Model (2002); which guided the investigator through primary, secondary and tertiary level of prevention. The study found that almost 44.0% of women had abnormal cervix, 5 (0.96%) of women had precancerous lesion, 2 (0.38%) had suspicious for cancer and majority of women had the risk history of cervical cancer. The educational intervention as cervical cancer awareness package was found to be effective in improving the knowledge of women regarding the disease. Health care professionals can implement these preventive strategies with the hope of reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer.