Kona, ChandralekhaJoseph, MerlynVarghese, JilshyAksha, MaryJoseph, AnjuJose, RiaJohnson, Avita Rose2020-10-162020-10-162019-11Kona Chandralekha, Joseph Merlyn, Varghese Jilshy, Aksha Mary, Joseph Anju, Jose Ria, Johnson Avita Rose. Awareness of cervical cancer and practice of Papanicolou smears among adult women availing health services or visiting a rural maternity hospital, Ramnagara District, Karnataka, India. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019 Nov; 8(11): 4303-43082320-17702320-1789http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/207145Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Almost 87% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. The study was conducted to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and practice of Papanicolou (Pap) smears among women availing health services or visiting a rural maternity hospital, Karnataka.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a 50-item interview schedule. The interview was administered to women >18 years of age who availed services at the hospital and their caretakers.Results: Mean age of the 158 women interviewed was 32.68±13.7 years. Only 21% of women had heard about cervical cancer. Only 11.4% knew at least one symptom and 1.9% knew one risk factor of cervical cancer. Most of the women (99%) were not aware about prevention of cervical cancer. Only 4% of the women had heard about Pap smears and 3% of the women had undergone a Pap smear test.Conclusions: Women in our study had very poor awareness of cervical cancer and practice of Pap smears. Gainfully employed women (OR=32; 8.8-111.2) and women who reported cervical cancer among family members or friends (OR=116; 20.2-665.4).  were more likely to have heard about cervical cancer. This study indicates a need to increase the awareness on cervical cancer and its prevention especially regarding Pap smears among rural women in Karnataka.AwarenessCervical cancerCross-sectional studyPapanicolou smearPracticesJournal ArticleIndiaDepartment of Community Health, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India