KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF LADY HEALTH VISITORS REGARDING CERVICAL CANCER IN PUBLIC SECTOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTERS IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Globally cancer has grown as public health issue in developing and developed countries, especially swiftly spreading in low income areas because there are inadequate means for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional research study was conducted from 11th December to 31st, 2016. There are total 52 centers in Lahore are working to provide the basic MCH health services in the community headed by Lady Heath Visitors. Hence; all Lady Heath Visitors were selected to participate in the study and were interviewed at their center by a trained research associate.
Results: All respondents had basic knowledge about cervical cancer. 96.1% respondents were aware about speculums used in gynecology examination, and rests were not aware. 94.2% were familiar with indication of cervical cancer, 92.3% were aware about indication for doing a speculum examination and 82.7% told that they were able to diagnose cervical cancer in routine gynecological examination and same percentage reported that they had been taught how to do speculum examination.
Conclusion: Majority of staff had insufficient knowledge regarding cervical cancer prevalence, treatment and prevention. Practices of the health providers were not up to minimum standard of any basic health services.