Cervical Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in Ernakulam District, Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gynecology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cervical cancer (CC) is a global health issue, particularly impacting rural areas with low screening rates.
• Rural women in Ernakulam district, Kerala, face challenges in accessing cervical cancer screening services.
• Understanding screening practices and awareness is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cervical cancer screening practices among rural women in Ernakulam.
• To evaluate awareness levels regarding cervical cancer and its screening methods.
• To identify factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake in the study population.

Main Methods:

• A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 rural women aged 25-60 years.
• Multistage sampling was employed for participant selection in Ernakulam district, Kerala.
• Data collection utilized semi-structured questionnaires, with analysis performed using SPSS version 20.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of cervical cancer screening was 9.2%.
• A significant majority (86.2%) expressed willingness for future free screening.
• Awareness of cervical cancer and screening was average or above in 48.7% of women.
• Screening uptake was higher among women over 41, above the poverty line, and in nuclear families.

Conclusions:

• Low cervical cancer screening rates and moderate awareness highlight a need for targeted interventions in rural Ernakulam.
• Increased age, higher socioeconomic status, and living in nuclear families were associated with higher screening uptake.
• Recommendations include enhanced educational programs and improved accessibility to screening services to bridge existing gaps.