Impact of health education on knowledge and attitude of school teachers regarding cervical cancer, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening

• Published in: Australasian Medical Journal (Online) Vol. 14; no. 7; pp. 193 - 200
• Main Authors: Renjhen, Prachi, Kaundal, Asmita, Rathi, Akanksha, Kumar, Vikas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Floreat Australasian Medical Journal 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Attitudes; Cervical cancer; Cervix; Developing countries; Disease prevention; Families & family life; Gynecology; Health education; Human papillomavirus; Immunization; Infections; Knowledge; LDCs; Medical screening; Pap smear; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Students; Vaccines
• ISSN: 1936-1935
• DOI: 10.35841/1836-1935.14.7.193-200

BackgroundCervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancer yet it is the third most common gynaecological cancer worldwide due to lack of knowledge of the risk factors, screening methods and preventive measures.AimsAs teachers play a vital role in spreading awareness among the community via educating the young minds. This study aims at assessing the knowledge of the school teachers regarding the risk factors, preventive measures, screening methods and HPV vaccination and the impact of health education on their attitude.MethodsAn interventional study where a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was given to the participants and their knowledge and attitude pre and post health education session was assessed.ResultsIn the study 85.5 per cent of the participants were postgraduates and above yet only 5.5 per cent of their family members were vaccinated for HPV. Only 36.4 per cent had heard about HPV infection and 22.7 per cent were aware of HPV Vaccine. Around 60.9 per cent had heard about cervical cancer. Out of all 34.5 per cent had heard about the screening for cervical cancer. 61.8 per cent had never got the health check-ups done and 85.5 per cent had never got the Pap smear done. There was a significant increase in both, knowledge (10 per cent to 82.7 per cent) and attitude (54.5 per cent to 66.4 per cent) after health education session.ConclusionSchool teachers who play an important role in disseminating information have poor knowledge about cervical cancer and its prevention. In developing nations imparting knowledge to them may help in spread of information to the students and parents and increase the participation of target population in prevention and screening programs resulting in minimizing the burden of morbidity and mortalities associated with cervical cancer.