Knowledge Concerning Cervical Cancer and Screening Among Married Women Attending Outpatient Clinics in Baghdad Maternity Hospitals

BackgroundCancer of the cervix is one of the main reasons for gynaecological cancer death that occurs worldwide. It is known that cervical premalignant stage has been detectable for ten years or more before being developed to cervical cancer. Women's knowledge related to the causes and prevention of the cervical cancer could decrease the exposure of women to known risk factors of the disease that reduce the morbidity and mortality. Objective To assess women's knowledge toward cervical cancer and find out the association between women's knowledge and their demographic variables. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and February 2017 at Baghdad maternity hospitals. A questionnaire was constructed to gather information from (400) married women, the data were collected through interview and self administered questionnaire which used. Data are analyzed through the use of SPSS version 20. Results This study shows that the women's knowledge concerning cervical cancer was inadequate. The source of knowledge was friends and relatives among (52.5%) of the study sample. There are statistical significant differences between level of knowledge and age, duration of marriage, while there are no statistical significant differences between level of knowledge and the left over demographic variables. Conclusion This study shows that the level of knowledge toward cervical cancer is inadequate. Recommendation There is a need to provide information about cervical cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, screening, and prevention for all women over the country in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality rate of cervical cancer.