wareness and Prevalence of Perceived Symptoms of Cervical Cancer Risk Factors among Women Attending Gynecological Clinics at Base Hospital Tangalle

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women globally. Incidence is gradually increasing and 90% of the new cases and deaths are reported in low and middle-income countries. Patient awareness of symptoms, early diagnosis, and treatment improves survival. In Sri Lanka, cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women. Objective: To assess the awareness and prevalence of perceived symptoms of cervical cancer risk factors among women attending gynecological clinics at Base Hospital Tangalle. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected and volunteered 418 women attending gynecological clinics at Base Hospital Tangalle, Sri Lanka. An interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (Cervical CAM) was used to assess the awareness and perceived symptoms of cervical cancer. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean(±SD) age was 38.9 (±12.2) years old. The majority were Sinhalese (86.1%), married (85.6%), employed (66.3%), educated up to secondary education level (60.5%), and heard about cervical cancer (92.6%). Perceived gynecological symptoms were lower back pain (60.8%), bleeding between periods (34.2%) and vaginal discharge (30.9%), menorrhagia (32.3%), post menopausal bleeding (10.3%), and pelvic pain (30.6%). Half of the women in the sample knew that vaginal bleeding between periods and vaginal discharge were symptoms of cervical cancer. However, the majority was not aware of other main symptoms of cervical cancer such as lower back pain (83.7%), dyspareunia (67.5%), menorrhagia (76.6%), post-menopausal bleeding (64.6%), pelvic pain (66.7%), post-coital bleeding (90%), and weight loss (87.8%). The majority showed poor overall awareness (62.7%). Awareness was associated with the age, age of menarche, marriage, menopause, educational level, ethnicity, religion, marital status, occupation, having miscarriage/s, use of contraceptive methods (oral contraceptive pills, Intra-uterine copper devices, natural and permanent), having a pre-existing gynecological and medical condition (p<0.05). Conclusion: Strategies need to be taken to improve awareness of cervical cancer among women. Further studies are recommended to assess the awareness of risk factors, early screening, and their associations. Keywords: Awareness, Cervical cancer, Risk factors, Symptoms 64