Abstract:
Objective To assess the awareness and evaluation of women and local health providers towards cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening program in rural areas. To analyze practical problems during the implementation of screening and further to provide scientific evidence for improvement of cervical cancer screening.
Methods A cross-sectional survey method was used.Eligible women and local health providers were administered with a questionnaire on awareness and evaluation towards cervical cancer and screening.
Results A total of 2292 women and 14 local healthcare providers completed the questionnaire. 1988 women (87.25%) ever heard about cervical cancer, but only 228 women (10.02%) knew human papillomavirus (HPV) was the primary cause of cervical cancer. The awareness of cervical cancer knowledge was associated with women age, education level, occupation and their income (
P< 0.05). Majority of women (87.7%) did not know cervical cancer screening methods. But 2036 women (89.1%) desired to receive education about cervical cancer screening methods. The main reason for women attending screening was to understand their health status (83.2%). Women refused to be screened mainly because they felt no symptoms and no need for being screened (63.7%). Over 60% women were satisfied with screening sites order and health providers. Whereas, 21.4% health providers did not know the diseases caused by HPV.
Conclusion The majority of women were satisfied with cervical cancer screening. But the cognitive level of women and health providers still need to be improved. Strengthening the health education is the key step to promote the cervical cancer screening program in China.