Investigation of knowledge-belief-practice of cervical cancer screening in female outpatients

Objective To understand female outpatients' recognition towards cervical cancer screening and their related attitudes and behaviors so as to provide theoretical basis for nursing intervention aimed at improving the rate of cervical cancer screening.Methods 1116 female outpatients at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were investigated with random sampling method by using a questionnaire of cervical cancer screening knowledge and related attitudes and behaviors.Results The cognitive aspects of cervical cancer screening rates were different among different ages,cultures,incorne women,differences were statistically significant(χ2=42.377,138.7,32.519,P<0.01).This study demonstrated patients with high-level education and good economic situation knew more about cervical cancer screening. Most of them (76.3%) approved the view of Early detection of cervical cancer could improve survival. But only 47.5% patients approved Screening could detect the cervical cancer early, and 45.3% patients were willing to accept the cervical cancer screening. 43.8% patients had received the cervical cancer screening, and only 4.9% patients received the screening annually.The cervical cancer screening rates were different ages,cultures,income women,differences were statistically significant(χ2=16.155,9.052,28.801,P<0.01).Conclusions Outpatients' knowledge about the cervical cancer screening is insufficient, patients with low-level education and poor economic situation know less about cervical cancer screening and the rate of their accepted cervical cancer screening is low. Nursing staff should help them establish a positive attitude, improve their cognition towards cervical cancer screening, and take different methods to provide health education of cervical cancer screening based on their actual conditions so as to improve the low rate of cervical cancer screening. Key words: Cervical cancer; Screening; Knowledge, belief and practice; Outpatients