Knowledge and practice for cervical cancer among female primary school teachers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A cross-sectional phone-based survey

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a cancer with evidence-based and cost-effective preventive measures; Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination for school girls and cancer screening for women. In Cambodia, cervical cancer accounts for an estimated 11.4% and 10.4% of women's cancer and deaths in 2020, respectively. This study aimed to identify the knowledge of cervical cancer, its information sources, and the experiences of cervical cancer screening among female primary school teachers, who are key influencers of HPV vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted using telephone interviews with 100 female primary school teachers in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. All 100 participants had heard of cervical cancer, 94 (94%) had heard of screening, and 49 (49%) had ever undergone a screening. When asked about their knowledge regarding cause(s), symptom(s), detection, and treatment(s) of cervical cancer, 31%, 44%, 35%, and 55% respondents said "Do not know". Those who did not reply "Do not know" were asked open-ended questions. Many of their answers were judged as "incorrect" by gynecologists. Consequently only 1%, 38%, 63% and 28% of respondents replied with at least one correct answer regarding cause(s), symptom(s), detection and treatment(s) respectively. The most common sources of information were family and friends, followed by doctors, television, and the Internet. Among female primary school teachers with an above-average educational level, their knowledge of cervical cancer was generally low. To promote cervical cancer prevention, it is necessary to provide correct knowledge in a broad and accessible manner through involvement of local medical doctors and healthcare providers.

Female School Teachers' Knowledge Regarding Cervical Cancer

“…Similar findings were also found in the study conducted among female secondary school teachers in Enugu, Nigeria, which showed that healthcare workers (37.2%), mass media (30.2%), and friends (17.6%) as a medium to get information about cervical cancer (Enebe et al,2021). But the contrast was found in the study conducted by Soeung et al( 2022 ) in Cambodia which reported that the most common sources of information were relatives, friends, and colleagues, followed by doctors, television, and the internet.…”

Clinical features of cervical cancer at a national cancer center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A descriptive cross-sectional study

“…The exact number of women affected with the cancer and their clinical features, including stage at diagnosis, remain unknown due to a lack of cancer registration system. Previous studies on cervical cancer in Cambodia are limited to those on cancer awareness and the prevalence of HPV and cervical dysplasia (6)(7)(8)(9).…”