The Effect of Multimodal Interventions Regarding Early Cervical Cancer Diagnosis on the Women's Knowledge, Attitude and Participation in Cervical Screening Program

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 Nov 1;24(11):3949-3956. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.11.3949.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of multimodal interventions on women's knowledge, attitude, and behavior towards the participation in the cervical screening test.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design is executed with a multi-stage sampling of 300 women residing in rural India. Various multimodal interventions, including a documentary film, face-to-face meetings, written booklets, reminder letters, SMS, and telephone calls, are used to motivate the women for cervical cancer screening.

Results: Following the interventions, 99% of the participants became aware of cervical cancer and increased their participation in screening from 3.0 % (Pretest) to 79.9% (Posttest). Three reminders have been sent to the participants, throughout the intervention period which has led to a considerable rise in the participants' willingness to participate in screening, hiking from 58% to 79.9%. The Pap smear test results have shown that: among 288 women, 21 have Typical Malignant cells on their cervix, and two women have been diagnosed with cervical cancer (Stage 1a and Stage 1b).

Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that utilizing diverse interventions in health education alters women's behavior, enhances the compliance of cervical cancer screening, and ultimately helps to prevent life-threatening risks.

Keywords: Cervical screening; Multimodal interventions; woman’ s behavior, participation; women' s attitudes.

MeSH terms

  • Awareness
  • Cervix Uteri
  • Early Detection of Cancer*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / prevention & control