Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India

Background and objectives: Developing screening programmes to lower breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality requires a better knowledge of psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental variables that may affect screening behaviours. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, atti...

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Main Authors: Kuntala Ray, Vanlaldiki Chhakchhuak, Mausumi Basu, Vineeta Shukla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ibrahim Medical College 2023-07-01
Series:IMC Journal of Medical Science
Online Access:https://www.imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/473
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author Kuntala Ray
Vanlaldiki Chhakchhuak
Mausumi Basu
Vineeta Shukla
author_facet Kuntala Ray
Vanlaldiki Chhakchhuak
Mausumi Basu
Vineeta Shukla
author_sort Kuntala Ray
collection DOAJ
description Background and objectives: Developing screening programmes to lower breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality requires a better knowledge of psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental variables that may affect screening behaviours. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age group in a village in West Bengal, India. Materials and methods: A descriptive type of observational study was conducted in village Muchisa of Budge-Budge II block, West Bengal among 300 women from January to June 2022 using a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured schedule by face-to-face interview method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 using suitable descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 31.6 ± 7.4 years. Out of 300 women, 41.7% and 41.3% had adequate knowledge on breast and cervical cancer respectively. Regarding attitude, 57.3% and 75.3% had highly favourable attitude on breast and cervical cancer respectively. Only 38 (12.7%) had performed breast self-examination at least once whereas only 5.3% had undergone Pap smear test at least once before the survey. Socio-demographic and economic factors of the respondents were significantly (p<0.05) associated with knowledge on breast cancer while none of these factors were found to have statistically significant association with knowledge on cervical cancer. Conclusion: Most of the study population did not have adequate knowledge of breast and cervical cancer, their risk factors and symptoms. Their attitude was positive but practice related to screening was very unsatisfactory. IMC J Med Sci. 2023; 17(2):011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.021 *Correspondence: Vineeta Shukla, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India; Email: vineeta1992@gmail.com
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spelling doaj.art-935f6d1f278f4487820aab5b6ecdd6d62023-07-18T13:46:08ZengIbrahim Medical CollegeIMC Journal of Medical Science2519-17212519-15862023-07-0117211110.55010/imcjms.17.021Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, IndiaKuntala Ray0Vanlaldiki Chhakchhuak1Mausumi Basu2Vineeta Shukla3Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, IndiaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, IndiaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, IndiaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, IndiaBackground and objectives: Developing screening programmes to lower breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality requires a better knowledge of psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental variables that may affect screening behaviours. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age group in a village in West Bengal, India. Materials and methods: A descriptive type of observational study was conducted in village Muchisa of Budge-Budge II block, West Bengal among 300 women from January to June 2022 using a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured schedule by face-to-face interview method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 using suitable descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 31.6 ± 7.4 years. Out of 300 women, 41.7% and 41.3% had adequate knowledge on breast and cervical cancer respectively. Regarding attitude, 57.3% and 75.3% had highly favourable attitude on breast and cervical cancer respectively. Only 38 (12.7%) had performed breast self-examination at least once whereas only 5.3% had undergone Pap smear test at least once before the survey. Socio-demographic and economic factors of the respondents were significantly (p<0.05) associated with knowledge on breast cancer while none of these factors were found to have statistically significant association with knowledge on cervical cancer. Conclusion: Most of the study population did not have adequate knowledge of breast and cervical cancer, their risk factors and symptoms. Their attitude was positive but practice related to screening was very unsatisfactory. IMC J Med Sci. 2023; 17(2):011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.021 *Correspondence: Vineeta Shukla, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India; Email: vineeta1992@gmail.comhttps://www.imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/473
spellingShingle Kuntala Ray
Vanlaldiki Chhakchhuak
Mausumi Basu
Vineeta Shukla
Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
IMC Journal of Medical Science
title Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
title_full Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
title_short Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of West Bengal, India
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice regarding breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age residing in a rural area of west bengal india
url https://www.imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/473
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