Effect of Educational Program on Knowledge and Preventive Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine among Childbearing Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1Lecturer of Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

2 MD Assiut University& Marien Hospital Hamburg, Germany.

3 3Assistant Professor of Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing. Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

4 Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

5 Assistant Professor of Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing. Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer knowledge level and human papillomavirus vaccine was
insufficient among women aged 20–45 years old, especially those of lower socioeconomic
condition. Aim: assess the effect of the educational program on knowledge and
preventive practices regarding cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus
vaccine among childbearing women. Methods: a quasi-experimental pre and post-test
design was used. Sample: a purposive sample of 135 women aged 18-44 years. Two tools
were used to conduct this study. Tool (1): An interview questionnaire consisted of two
parts: the first part involved personal, obstetrical, and family planning data, history of
cervical cancer, pap smear testing, and HPV vaccine. The second part was the knowledge
of cervical cancer, screening, and HPV vaccine. Tool (2) was the women's preventive
practices regarding cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccine. Results: The findings
of this study illustrated that before intervention 8.1%, 12.6% & 23.7% of the participants
had good knowledge, satisfactory practice & performed CC screening respectively. After
intervention 73.3% of participants had good knowledge, 82.2% and 98.5% of them had
satisfactory practice and performed CC screening respectively (p-value <0.01).
Conclusion: a structured educational intervention substantially improved knowledge and
influenced practice changing of participants regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV
vaccination. Recommendations: the establishment of nationwide education programs, as
well as screening programs, and raising awareness campaigns to improve access to
cervical cancer prevention services were recommended.