Women’s Knowledge of Cervical Cancer: A cross-sectional study in primary healthcare in Al Buraimi Governorate in Oman

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention among Omani women aged 20 to 65 years. Method: This analytic cross-sectional study took place at primary healthcare institutions, in the Al Buraimi governorate, Oman, between November 2018 I believe that in response to comment #5 too much information may have been removed from the Results section, therefore we return the first two paragraphs that were removed to the Results section and make them more concise during the copy editing stage.  and February 2019. The study was carried out on the basis of a predesigned, validated, and self-administered 55 question questionnaire. Results: Data from seven hundred and ninety-one completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis, which represents a response rate of 79.1% of the total. The results of the study indicated that 86.7 percent of surveyed women had previously heard of cervical cancer, and 13.0 per cent assumed the possibility of this disease to affect them in the future. The results showed that women had low awareness of the association between Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical cancer (24.7%). Participants considered HPV infection and initiation of sexual intercourse at an age younger than 17 years as the lowest risks associated with cervical cancer. The results also indicated that 63.8% of women were unaware of a vaccination 'against HPV related cervical cancer' and many of respondents were unaware of Pap test. Women aged over 30 years, those married, and those with a high level of education were more likely to be aware of cervical cancer. Conclusion: General knowledge of cervical cancer among women aged 20 to 65 years is insufficient. Young women aged 20-30 are largely unaware. Thus, concerted efforts are needed to promote awareness among women in Oman.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, risk factor, Human Papilloma Virus, vaccine, Pap test.