Knowledge, Attitude, Belief and Practice (KABP) of the Women in Kolkata towards Uterine Cervical Cancer

Despite the availability of low cost screening test, carcinoma of cervix remains a common cancer among Indian women. Lack of accurate knowledge, stigma and misconceptions about this disease is hindering its decline in India. This cross-sectional study (March, 2011 to January, 2013) assessed knowledge, attitude, belief and practice (KABP) of 3725 sexually active women (aged 20–60 years) of Kolkata about cervical cancer using a structured questionnaire. Their KABP were enhanced through awareness lectures. Only 25.6% of them heard about Pap test and 71.5% had positive attitude to undergo the test. Maximum number (37.2%) avoided the test owing to absence of doctor's advice. Very few (7.3%) heard of human papilloma viruses. At least one risk factor was known to 52.1% participants. Overall knowledge about cervical cancer improved significantly (p<0.001) with higher education. Education also reduced (p<0.001) their belief about cancer as a curse. During treatment, choice of female compared to male doctor was significant (p<0.0001) for the women. Despite their suboptimum level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer the women showed favorable attitude for the screening test. Interventions to improve cervical cancer, screening and removal of the barriers to screening test can be effective to reduce burden of cervical cancer in India.