Reproductive Health Among School Employees in Vijayapura, Karnataka

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Cervical cancer is preventable, with screening crucial for early detection, especially in low-resource settings.
• Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) are primary screening tools.
• This study was conducted during noncommunicable disease camps in Karnataka, India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening using Pap smears and VIA.
• To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding contraception among reproductive-aged women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 6,257 women in Vijayapura District, Karnataka, India (June-August 2022).
• Data collection included interviews, medical histories, pelvic examinations, VIA, and Pap smears.
• Evaluation of contraceptive practices was also conducted.

Main Results:

• An 81.73% acceptance rate for cervical cancer screening was observed.
• Only 53.91% of women were aware of cervical cancer, and 27.1% knew it was detectable early.
• VIA detected positive results in 9.1% of women; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were found in 0.1%.

Conclusions:

• Pap smears and VIA are vital for detecting premalignant and malignant cervical lesions, enabling timely treatment.
• Screening significantly reduces cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
• A majority of women preferred permanent contraception after completing family planning.