Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among females and also the most preventable. In the literature there is abundant evidence that awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention is low in the developing countries. Medical students are the future health professionals and can play an important role in increasing awareness among the general population. To assess the knowledge regarding symptoms, risk factors and prevention of cervical carcinoma among medical students in th Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the present study was planned. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire with students at the College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, KSA, from December 2012 to May 2013. The responses of 188 students (males 111, females 77) in their second, third, fourth, and fifth years were recorded and used in the data analysis. The majority of the students were not aware of the early warning signs, symptoms and risk factors. On average, only 43.7% males and 56% of females were aware about the early signs and symptoms whereas 51.4% males and 57.8% females had knowledge about the risk factors of cervical cancers. Some 55% males and 46.8% females were unable to select the correct answer regarding human papilloma virus (HPV) infection as the cause of cervical cancer. Majority of the students (67%) were not aware about the availability of vaccine against HPV. Lack of knowledge regarding early signs and symptoms, risk factors and prevention of cervical cancer was observed in the present study.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is the major health problem throughout the world
Knowledge about the early sign and symptoms of cervical cancer 69.4% of males and 76.6% females responded that vaginal bleeding between periods as the symptoms of cervical cancer
The present study was conducted among the medical students in order to determine their knowledge regarding cervical carcinoma
Summary
Cervical cancer is the major health problem throughout the world After breast cancer, it is the second most common cancer in females and one of the most important causes of premature deaths in women at reproductive age. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a population of 6.51 million women of ages 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. To assess the knowledge regarding symptoms, risk factors and prevention of cervical carcinoma among medical students in th Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the present study was planned. Only 43.7% males and 56% of females were aware about the early signs and symptoms whereas 51.4% males and 57.8% females had knowledge about the risk factors of cervical cancers. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge regarding early signs and symptoms, risk factors and prevention of cervical cancer was observed in the present study
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