Acceptability and self-motivated take up rate of cancer screening strategies among nurses in a tertiary care university hospital in Kerala, India

Santhosh Kuriak, Nurul Ameen, Mini C H, Ajitha B K

Abstract


Background: Breast and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer and cancer deaths among women in India. Though effective modalities for prevention of these are available by screening, the utilisation of these services is dismal in India. The study aims to determine the knowledge, awareness, attitude and utilization of cervical and breast cancer screening among nurses working in a tertiary care institute. 

Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted among 266 nurses working at Government Medical College Kozhikode, a 1500 bedded hospital. Nurses working at our institute were provided with a pre-designed questionnaire designed to test their knowledge, awareness and attitude about utilization of screening facilities available in institution. 

Results: Approximately 77% who participated were aware about cervical cancer screening and 92% about breast cancer screening. Although 71% of them have advised Pap smear to general population, only 27% of them have undergone it themselves. 78% of them knew about screening of breast cancer but only 56% do regular breast self-examination. Only one had undergone a Mammogram.

Conclusions: Knowledge about screening tests for breast and cervical cancer were appreciable in nursing staffs but utilization of screening programmes for themselves were very less. Non-utilization of screening modalities in spite of availability at a low cost highlights the importance of identifying less realized barriers such as emotional, cognitive and cultural ones. Attitude about screening has to be addressed in awareness programmes that reinforce the benefits of screening.


Keywords


nurses, screening, Pap smear, mammogram

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/placentum.v13i1.89954

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