Acquaintance of Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention Practices among Women’s Self-help Groups in Puducherry – A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Context: Cervical cancer is a global public health problem with particularly high burden in many low- and middle-income countries. Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening and adherence to preventive practices among self-help group women in Puducherry. Settings and Design: This was a community-based cross-sectional study among women belonging to self-help groups in the field practice areas of our tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted for a period of 3 months from July to September 2023. The study population consists of women belonging to various self-help groups in the field practice areas of our tertiary care hospital based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A multistage random sampling method was used with an estimated sample size of 245. Statistical Analysis Used: Continuous variables were presented in the form of frequency and proportion. The Chi-square test was used for determining the association. Results: Out of 245, 39.6% had good knowledge regarding cervical cancer and 60.4% had poor knowledge. Majority of the rural women (140) had poor knowledge compared to urban areas. A significant association between employment and awareness (P = 0.000) regarding cervical cancer screening and prevention was observed. Conclusions: Health promotion and counseling services should be increased, and an efficient tracking of screening and assessment system should be intensified as part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases to accelerate its elimination.