ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WARNING SIGNS FOR CERVICAL CANCER AMONG WOMEN IN THE REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP (15-49) IN GURAGHE ZONEWOLKITE TOWN SOUTH NATION NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLE REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2022

Abstract

cal cancer is a malignant tumor of the cervix and can be prevented by regular screening with pap tests and human papillomavirus tests to diagnose the pre-cancer stage and treat it. Even though breast cancer is the top raised cause of death, nowadays cervical cancer is also a big problem and women get to suffer from this. In 2025 the number of new cases diagnosed with cervical cancer will reach 720,415 and 394,905 deaths will be recorded globally. Objective: To assess knowledge of women about cervical cancer warning signs in Guraghe, Zone Wolkite Town, south Ethiopia, and 2022G.C. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on women who are in the reproductive age group (15-49) in Wolkite Town, Guraghe Zone, South Ethiopia. Data was collected from May 01 to May 15, 2022 in Wolkite Town. We had 422 study subjects who were selected by random sampling method after identifying each household by systematic random sampling technique. Semi- Structured questionnaire was adapted in English and translated to Amharic. The collected data was analysed by SPSS version 21 and analysed data presented by graph and tables after represented by frequency and percentage. Out of 422 respondents with 100% response rate majority were married 221(52.4%) Concerning religion most of them were orthodox 167 (39.6). Regarding educational status 197(46.7%) of them were complete tertiary education. From cervical cancer awareness measurement tool 242 (57.3%) of them have good knowledge whereas 180 (42.7%) of them have poor knowledge. The studies showed that, majority of women have good knowledge about cervical cancer. Even though result revealed women have better knowledge as compared to majority of study raised but there is still a gap that needs. Great effort should be made to educate the public about cervical cancer in gurage zone by mobilizing heath extension worker at every village; health bureau in wolkite should have to support different awareness creation by preparing budget.