A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude Towards Cervical Cancer and its Prevention among Nursing Students Studying in Selected Nursing School and Colleges in Ranchi Jharkhand

Abstract; Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The projected number of patients with cancer in India is 13,92,179 for the year 2020 and the common 5 leading sites are breast, lung. mouth, and cervix uteri and tongue. The majority of the patients with cancer are diagnosed at the locally advanced stage for breast (57.0%), cervix uteri (60.0%), head and neck (66.6%) and stomach (50.8%) cancer, whereas in lung cancer distance metastasis was predominant among males (44.0%) and females (47.6%). Objective: The study was conducted among the students to assess the knowledge regarding cervical cancer and its prevention among and to assess the attitude towards cervical cancer and its prevention among nursing students . Method and Material: A total of 254 students has been selected by non -probability purposive sampling technique data collection tool consisting of knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer. questionnaire to assess the knowledge and practice towards cervical cancer . IEC permission was taken from the committee.Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Within this study the the knowledge and practice towards cervical cancer out of 254 nursing students 31 have good, 198 have average and 25 have poor knowledge level regarding cervical cancer and its prevention. Majority of the participants has opinion that a cervical infection may turn into a cervical cancer. Majority of the participants has opinion that cervical examination is not too painful. Majority of the participants has opinion that cervical cancer may ruin the relationship with their spouses. Majority of the participants has opinion that cervical cancer can be cured completely. Majority of the participants has opinion that eliminating sugar will "starve the cancer cells. Majority of the participants has opinion that if they are not sexually active, they do not need to go for a PAP smear test.Majority of the participants has opinion that if they have taken the HPV vaccine, they are less likely to get cervical cancer.Majority of the participants has opinion that cervical cancer can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Majority of the participants has opinion that one should avoid having sexual intercourse while getting treatment for cervical cancer.Majority of the participants has opinion that surgery as a treatment option for cervical cancer is better than radiation therapy.