Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Related to Cervical Cancer Prevention among Medical Students in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study
Description
Abstract Background Though it is a preventable and treatable illness, cervical cancer nevertheless causes a major global health burden, especially in low- and middle-income nations. With fatality rates above the worldwide norm, this is the second most common malignancy among women in Bangladesh. By encouraging HPV vaccination and screening campaigns, medical experts significantly help to prevent cervical cancer. This study evaluated medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on cervical cancer prevention in Bangladesh to highlight areas needing work and guide solutions. Methods A medical student-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2021 to July 2022 among 533 medical students who were interviewed with a pretested, structured e-questionnaire disseminated through social media platforms and Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. The study included self-reported practices, general knowledge of cervical cancer prevention, attitudes towards screening and vaccination, and socioeconomic traits. Results Most of the study participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (78.2%) and positive attitudes (73.6%) toward cervical cancer prevention. However, practical engagement with preventive measures was alarmingly low; none of the respondents had undergone a Pap smear, and only 11.23% reported receiving the HPV vaccine. Female students exhibited significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores compared to their male counterparts. Key gaps were identified in awareness of cervical cancer risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods. Conclusion Although the inadequate implementation of preventative techniques exposes important gaps in cervical cancer prevention among future healthcare workers in Bangladesh, the moderate degree of knowledge and positive attitudes do not reflect this. Medical students must be empowered as ambassadors of cervical cancer prevention by means of focused educational programs, curricular integration, and enhanced access to vaccine and screening facilities addressing those deficiencies. Keywords: Cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccine, Pap smear, medical students, knowledge, attitude, practice