ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF WOMEN TOWARDS CERVICAL CANCER, THE CASE OF MEKELLE CITY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA,ACOMMUNITY BASED STUDY

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common female cancer in the women aged 15 to 44 years in the world. Every year, around 527,624 develop cervical cancer and 265,672 die from the disease, globally with about 84.6% (446, 546,) in developing countries. In Africa about 99,038 new cases of cervical cancer are recorded annually. In Ethiopia also 7,095 new cases are recorded and out of this, over 4,732 women die from the disease annually. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception towards cervical cancer among women aged 15-49. Community based cross-sectional study design with quantitative method was conducted from December 2017 to May 2018 in Mekelle city. Multistage sampling technique was used to select women respondent. The quantitative data was collected by providing interview from 382 community participants .Health extension workers /who are diploma nurse was administered a questionnaire using face-to-face interviews. The data collection was supervised by trained supervisors. This finding shows 53.9% of the participants had sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer. After adjusting for covariates, having sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer was positively associated with mothers’ occupation and educational label. Respondents those who were Gov't employee AOR: 9.98; 95% CI were more likely to have sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer compared to those who were housewife and those who had some form of education were more likely to have sufficient knowledge. Women who attended preparatory AOR=68.808(12.011-394.190) and those who had secondary and above educational status AOR=10.191(2.040-50.913) were also more knowledgeable than those who were unable to read and write. In this finding majority of the respondents ever heard about cervical cancer, however almost half of them did not have sufficient knowledge. Specifically, the knowledge on risk factors, symptoms, prevention and treatment methods was not satisfactory. Education and screening program should be given integrated with ANC and family planning services and the screening program should extend to near community at health centers.