Knowledge of risk factors, symptoms and barriers to seeking medical help for cervical cancer among Omani women attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Abstract EN

Objectives : this study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes among Omani woman regarding cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms as well as barriers to them seeking medical help.

methods : this cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2017 and march 2018 at the sultan Qaboos university hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman.

a validated Arabic-language version of the cervical cancer awareness measure questionnaire was used to collect data from 550 Omani women visiting SQUH during the study period.

results : a total of 490 women participated(response rate: 89.1%) in this study.

overall, the women demonstrated low levels of knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms (28.5% and 45.0%, respectively).

the most frequently recognised risk factor was having many children (36.1%), while the most recognised symptom was unexplained vaginal bleeding (69.8%).

women reported that being too scared was the greatest barrier to seeking medical help (68.0%).

various factors were significantly associated with greater knowledge of cervical cancer signs and symptoms including education level (odds ratio [or] = 2.85; 95% confidence interval [ci]: 1.0–8.22; p <0.05), income (or = 4.34; 95% ci: 1.70–11.12; p <0.05), parity (or = 3.59; 95% ci: 1.38–9.36; p <0.05) and a family history of cancer (or = 1.71; ci: 1.0–2.90; p <0.05).

conclusion: overall, Omani women demonstrated poor knowledge with regards to cervical cancer; in addition, they identified several emotional barriers to seeking medical help.

healthcare practitioners should reassure female patients to encourage care-seeking behaviour.

a national screening programme is also recommended to increase awareness and early diagnosis of cervical cancer in Oman.