A Descriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence of the Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Selected Rural Community of District Mohali, Punjab (2018-2020)

Cancer in general can be described as an abnormal and undifferentiated growth of cells. Cancer of the cervix is a cancer involving ''abnormal growth of the squamous cells of the cervix''. As the increasing burden of cervical cancer leads to a common cause of death in women. Various factors are associated with the occurrence of the disease like early marriage, multiple sexual partners, multiparity, age, socioeconomic status, smoking, contraceptive use and further more. The prevalence of cervix cancer is increasing day by day. The reproductive age women are found to be more prone to the disease due to lack of knowledge about the cervical cancer. The present study to assess the prevalence of the risk factors of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age group in village khizrabad, Mohali, Punjab was conducted on 100 samples who were reproductive (15-50years) who were married. Convenience sampling techniques were used to select the samples. Self-structured interview scheduled were used to collect the data. Tool validation is done by various experts. The findings reveal that prevalence of the cervical cancer is 9% in reproductive age group women (who were married). Prevalence of major risk factors were assessed and highest prevalence rate is among women were never went for HPV vaccine (100%) and pap smear test (98%). The women who were not using barrier contraceptives showing 73% prevalence rate and oral contraceptives have 25% prevalence rate. Early and late age of menarche showing 34% prevalence rate, steroid therapy used by women have 16% prevalence rate and 32% rate of excessive vaginal discharge.59% prevalence rate is of women who were not taking fruits in a week. Early and late age of marriage, age at first intercourse, age at first conception have low prevalence rate that is 5%. Tobacco chewing is 3% prevalence and alcohol consumption is 0% rate. No women have sexually transmitted infection thus have 0% prevalence rate and family history of cervical cancer is 2% prevalence rate. Inferential statistics were used to find out the association between prevalence of the risk factors and socio-demographic variables. With the help of chi-square association were reveal as no socio-demographic variables were significant with the prevalence of the risk factors of cervical cancer. It is concluded that prevalence of cervical cancer is 9%. The highest prevalence rate is shown by risk factors women have never gone for HPV vaccine (100%) and pap-smear test (98%) and the lowest prevalence rate is of risk factors sexually transmitted infection (0%), multiple sexual partners (0%), alcohol consumption (0%). It is required that women have to provide knowledge and facilities regarding pap smear test and HPV vaccine.