Abstract: Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with an estimate of 468,000 new cases annually in the world, 80% of these countries. India accounts for one-fifth of the world burden of cervical cancer the incidence of cervical cancer has declined in western countries following the introduction of screening programs which are often rudimentary or nonexistent in countries like India due to infrastructural, financial and personnel constraints. In developing countries like ours, more than three fourths of cervical cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages leading to poor prospects of long-term survival and cure.
Objectives
1. To assess the awareness of nursing students on aetiology, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention of cervical cancer.
2. To assess the effect of educational intervention regarding risk factors, and prevention of cervical cancer
Methodology: An educational interventional study was done after calculate the sample size 110. Pretest awareness level was asses using a questionnaire and educational intervention was given and posttest date was collected after applying the same questionnaire. The statistical significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Appropriate statistical test was applied to determine the effectiveness of educational intervention.
Results: A total 110 nursing girl students belonging to 3rd and 4th year BSC were registered for our study. About 63.6% nursing students were aware about the disease. More improvement in their knowledge was seen in areas related to disease, screening methods, Prevention aspects, vaccine and symptoms with mean paired differences of 1.36, 2.064, 0.209, 1.055 and 1.067 respectively.
Conclusion: This study highlights inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer, its screening and prevention amongst the nursing students. Implementation of the educational sessions was successful in improving their knowledge. Study highlights the need to undertake similar community based studies about awareness and education interventions.
