Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices vis-à-vis Cervical Cancer Among Registered Nurses at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University , Thailand

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Cervical cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer among women in Thailandand in almost all patients, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found. Various international studies indicatethat the knowledge level vis-à-vis cervical cancer and HPV in the general population as well as healthcareprofessionals is low, but no such study has yet been done in Thailand. <br/><b>Objectives</b>: Our study’s aim was toascertain the level of knowledge, the attitudes and practices regarding cervical cancer among registered nursesworking in Srinagarind (university) Hospital in an urban setting in Northeast Thailand. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>:Systematic sampling was used and self-administered questionnaires were sent to 149 registered nurses; 133(89.3%) of whom responded. Data were processed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentagesand the 95% CIs. <br/><b>Results</b>: The respondents’ averaged 34.6 years of age (median, 33; range, 21-56) while 54.6%had sexual partners and 61.4% had had normal deliveries. The respective median knowledge score, interquartilerange and mean knowledge score and range for cervical cancer vs. HPV vs. cervical cancer prevention were:11.00, 5.0, 10.14 (95%CI 9.6, 10.7), 0-15 vs. 4.00, 2.0, 3.58 (95%CI 3.5-4.2), 0-7 vs. 8, 3.00, 7.5 (95%CI 7.1-7.9), 1-11. 66.2% would like to have prophylactic HPV vaccines because they thought that it would prevent HPVinfection (77.3%) or prevent cervical cancer (39.1%), which are major misunderstandings. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: Almostall of the registered nurses working at Srinagarind Hospital have a moderate level of knowledge regardingcervical cancer and HPV but there are still some major misunderstandings; thus, educational pamphlets, noticesand hospital announcements would be useful in increasing their knowledge.