Effect of Educational Program on Knowledge and Attitudes towards Cervical Cancer Screening among Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in low and middle-income countries. The aim: to evaluate the effect of educational program on knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer screening among women at reproductive age. Research design: Quasi-experimental design (pre-test, post-test) was used to achieve the aim of this study. Sample: A purposive sample of 100 women was used. Data Collection Tool, questionnaire (I): A structured interviewing questionnaire which included socio-demographic characteristics of women, marital and reproductive history (II) knowledge regarding cervical cancer and screening questionnaire (III) Attitudes toward cervical cancer and screening questionnaire. Results: Before the educational program, 21% of the participated women had poor knowledge regarding cervical cancer and screening; later, that number dropped to none, and 31% and 69% had moderate and good knowledge respectively, post-implementation. On the other hand, 62% of the studied women had a positive attitude regarding cervical cancer screening before the educational program but it increased to 82% post-implementation of an educational program. Conclusion: The study concluded that the educational program positively affected knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer screening among women at reproductive age. Recommendation: Periodically screening for cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in the obstetric hospital and maternal-child health centers