Cervical Cancer Relevant Knowledge and Preventive Behavior among Secondary School Females in Port Said City

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem, classifying as the fourth mostly prevalent etiology of cancer incidence and mortality among females all over the world. It is a preventable problem when applying suitable surveying and prophylactic methods. Then, knowledge and awareness deficit cause preventive methods loss. Objective: The current study aimed to assess cervical cancer relevant knowledge and preventive behavior among secondary school females in Port Said City. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three secondary schools in Port Said city. Participants were 250 female students selected by systematic random sampling techniques. Data collected by questionnaires to determine the knowledge of the adolescent girls on cervical cancer and its prevention. Results: Only 21% of the students reported good knowledge level concerning cervical cancer and 76.8% of the studied sample had inadequate level of knowledge. The present study revealed unsatisfactory preventive behaviors about cervical cancer. Conclusion and recommendation: The present study revealed unsatisfactory cervical cancer and prevention behaviors knowledge as a disease among the female students. Our research recommended that there is a need for educational programs for secondary school females about cervical cancer and prevention behaviors