Awareness of cervical cancer and Pap smear among nursing staff at a rural tertiary care hospital in Central India

BACKGROUND: Cancer cervix is the leading cause of cancer deaths in females in developing countries and one in five women suffering from cervical cancer lives in India. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the awareness about cervical cancer and Pap smear among nurses working in a tertiary care institute. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in a tertiary care institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nurses working at our institute excluding those who have worked or working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department were provided with a pre-designed questionnaire testing their knowledge about cervical cancer. RESULTS: Approximately, 86% were aware about cancer cervix and 69% were aware of a pre-cancerous stage. 42.3% were not aware of any risk factor and 27.6% were not aware of any symptom of cancer cervix. 86.2% were aware about Pap smear, but only 58.6% were aware that facilities of Pap smear were available at our hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of Pap smear as screening test was inadequate in nursing staff. Awareness programs about cervical cancer and screening are needed to increase awareness for this preventable condition. RECOMMENDATION: There is a need to arrange reorientation programs to sensitize nurses and establish cytology clinics to offer facilities for easily accessible and affordable screening.