Context: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and ranked fourth worldwide. The long precancerous stage of cervical cancer provides a window period for screening and early detection. Evaluation of knowledge and attitude towards them is important for effective implementation of screening programmes especially in a low resource setting. No such studies have been conducted in this region where estimated incidence rate of cervical cancer is quite significant. There is no provision available for mass or regular screening for cervical cancer in the state as well. Aims: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards screening of cervical cancer among women visiting the outpatient clinic. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional descriptive Knowledge Attitude Practice, (KAP) study including the women who visited the outpatient clinic of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. Methods and Material: The principal investigator interviewed 400 women (18 to 65 years) over three months, with a structured validated pre-tested questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained. Statistical analysis used: The mean age and knowledge-attitude score with standard deviation was calculated using MS Excel. Mann-Witney test was used to compare scores between plains and hills. Results: Ninety three percent (372/400) of the respondents had no knowledge regarding cervical cancer. The remaining 7% (28/400) had a mean score of 35.60% (9.97/28). There was no significance in the difference in mean scores between respondents from plains and the hills. Only 3.25% (13/400) respondents had knowledge about Pap smear as a screening technique but none had undergone the test voluntarily. Conclusions: The awareness about cervical cancer and its screening is extremely poor. There is a dire need to generate awareness as accessibility, logistics and education already pose a negative impact in making implementation of screening programmes effective in this low resource setting with a high incidence of cervical cancer.

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