Knowledge and applications of the midwives and nurses at an educational hospital on the early diagnosis of cervix cancer

Abstract

This descriptive study was made to determine the knowledge levels and application situations of 96 midwives and nurses at an educational hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected with the survey form and evaluated using frequency distribution and chi-square significance tests. Almost two-thirds of the midwives and nurses included stated that they never go for routine gynaecological tests without any sysmptoms, over 50% stated that they did not see themselves as being under risk in the aspect of cervix cancer, and 18.7% had no information about risk factors. While 54.2% had experienced at least one pap smear test, 20.8% stated that they did not see having a pap smear test as mandatory. Over 90.0 about the HPV vaccine, mostly from visual and published media, and 78.1% wanted to have HPV vaccination. A statistically significant difference was found between the the knowledge levels and application situations of the midwives and nurses and their age groups, educational status, and marital status (p<0.05). Participants in the age group 32 and over, with undergraduate or more education, and who were married, had more knowledge and practical experience.