Knowledge, attitude and practices towards cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in health care professionals and support staff in a tertiary level hospital in South India: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains a public health problem inspite of advances in screening methods and existence of prophylactic vaccination. In low and middle-income countries without a robust screening programme, health care workers in hospital setting are the first contact person for women seeking health care. Hence, they play a pivotal role in changing attitudes and practices of women.

Methods: Cross-sectional study done to assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer, screening methods and HPV vaccination among female employees in a tertiary care hospital. Results were analyzed in two groups–medical and nonmedical.

Results: 46% participants identified HPV as causative organism. 8.2% participants considered themselves at risk of disease. 67.6% of participants opined that cancer cervix is preventable. 54% of participants were aware of Pap smear and 42.5% were aware of HPV vaccine. 10.9 % participants had Pap smear test.  7.6% of participants have been vaccinated, 10.5% have vaccinated their girl child against HPV. Difference in awareness and attitude towards screening methods and vaccination between two groups was significant but there was no significant difference in practice between the groups. Barriers for vaccination elicited were 13.8% were not sure of complications, 13.6% said not essential, 7.9% said it was too expensive and 2.8% were not sure of its efficacy.

Conclusion: Improving practice among health workers enables them to be effective communicators to woman seeking health care. Continuing education programs can serve to fill knowledge gaps found in this study.