Awareness on cancer cervix, willingness, and barriers for screening of cancer cervix among women: A community-based cross-sectional study from urban Pondicherry

Background

Early detection of cervical cancer can significantly reduce the associated morbidities and mortality. However, uptake of screening for cervical cancer in India is not encouraging.

Objectives

To assess the awareness about cervical cancer, willingness, and barriers for undergoing screening of cervical cancer among women in urban Pondicherry.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among women of 30-65 years in urban Pondicherry during January - July 2019. A total of 219 women, selected using two-stage random sampling, were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Multistep multivariable logistic regression was done to identify the independent correlates of willingness to undergo screening for cervical cancers.

Results

About one-third women were aware of cervical cancer. Awareness was more among women who were young, had higher education, had family history of cancer, and currently working. Awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms of cancer cervix was low. Although 60% of the women, who have been aware of cervical cancer, were aware of possibility of early detection, <15% were aware of the various methods. 32% of the women were willing to undergo screening for cervical cancer, and occupation, family history of cancer, and knowledge about risk factors were found to be independent correlates. Fear and "not having signs and symptoms" were the major reasons for unwillingness.

Conclusion

Level of awareness and willingness for undergoing screening of cervical cancer was low in study area. Targeted interventions for awareness and health system efforts for addressing the reasons behind unwillingness are required.

[New approaches to the treatment of the HIV-infected patient]

HIV infection remains a major problem of public health in Belgium as well as globally. The number of new diagnosies of HIV infection in Belgium remains between two and three daily. Given the dramatic effect of antiretroviral therapy on the mortality due to HIV infection, the number of patients is constantly increasing. The different problems related to HIV care are also changing. Aging of the patients and chronic exposure to antiretroviral medications have induced new complications. We will present in this brief article several new experimental and clinical approaches in which our centre has participated during the last two years.