Increase education and extension programs

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 47 views

The Level of Cervical Cancer Knowledge in Housewives as Parents of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Class of 2018-2019

Introduction

Cervical cancer, a disease that attacks the lower part of the uterus or cervix, is a serious threat to women's health. The main cause of cervical cancer is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can be transmitted through sexual contact. Women with risky sexual behavior, such as having many sexual partners, starting sexual intercourse at a young age, having many children, and using contraception, are more susceptible to HPV infections and cervical cancer. Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth largest cancer in women, with 570,000 new cases and more than 311,000 deaths recorded in 2018, with 85% of cases occurring in developing countries. In Indonesia, cervical cancer occupies the second position of cancer in women, with 17.2% of Indonesian women suffering from this disease.

Understanding the Importance of Cervical Cancer Knowledge

Understanding the level of knowledge about cervical cancer in the community is very important to increase efforts to prevent and treat the disease. This study aims to examine the level of cervical cancer knowledge in housewives as parents of students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra (USU) for the class of 2018-2019. The study uses a descriptive method with a cross-sectional study design, and primary data are obtained through questionnaires that are disseminated using Google Form.

The Level of Cervical Cancer Knowledge in Housewives

The results of the study showed that 50% (43 respondents) had a good level of cervical cancer knowledge. Interestingly, 39.5% of respondents with higher education backgrounds (Diploma, S1, and S2) have good knowledge about cervical cancer. In addition, respondents from various age groups also showed good knowledge. This finding shows that the level of cervical cancer knowledge in housewives in North Sumatra, especially parents of USU Faculty of Medicine students, is in the good category.

Opportunities for Increasing Cervical Cancer Knowledge

However, it is essential to note that there is an opportunity to increase understanding and awareness about cervical cancer, especially among housewives with low educational backgrounds. Increased education and extension programs regarding cervical cancer, especially regarding risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods, are needed to increase public awareness and encourage healthy living behavior. Educational programs involving various parties, such as health workers, community organizations, and mass media, can be an effective step to increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer.

Promoting Accessibility to Early Detection Services

In addition to education, it is also necessary to promote accessibility to early detection services for cervical cancer, such as Pap Smear examination. Pap smear examination is an effective way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, thus allowing early treatment before developing into cancer. Good knowledge about cervical cancer is an important step in efforts to prevent and overcome the disease. By increasing awareness and access to information and health services, it is hoped that the number of cervical cancer sufferers in Indonesia can be reduced, and the quality of life of Indonesian women can continue to increase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the level of cervical cancer knowledge in housewives as parents of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2018-2019, is in the good category. However, there is still an opportunity to increase understanding and awareness about cervical cancer, especially among housewives with low educational backgrounds. Increased education and extension programs, as well as promoting accessibility to early detection services, are essential steps to increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer. By working together, we can reduce the number of cervical cancer sufferers in Indonesia and improve the quality of life of Indonesian women.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase education and extension programs: Increased education and extension programs regarding cervical cancer, especially regarding risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods, are needed to increase public awareness and encourage healthy living behavior.
Promote accessibility to early detection services: Promoting accessibility to early detection services for cervical cancer, such as Pap Smear examination, is essential to detect abnormal cells in the cervix and allow early treatment before developing into cancer.
Involve various parties: Educational programs involving various parties, such as health workers, community organizations, and mass media, can be an effective step to increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer.
Target low-educated housewives: Targeting housewives with low educational backgrounds is essential to increase understanding and awareness about cervical cancer, especially among this group.

By implementing these recommendations, we can increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and reduce the number of cervical cancer sufferers in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cervical Cancer Knowledge in Housewives

Q: What is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is a disease that attacks the lower part of the uterus or cervix. It is a serious threat to women's health and is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Q: What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

A: Women with risky sexual behavior, such as having many sexual partners, starting sexual intercourse at a young age, having many children, and using contraception, are more susceptible to HPV infections and cervical cancer.

Q: How common is cervical cancer?

A: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth largest cancer in women, with 570,000 new cases and more than 311,000 deaths recorded in 2018, with 85% of cases occurring in developing countries. In Indonesia, cervical cancer occupies the second position of cancer in women, with 17.2% of Indonesian women suffering from this disease.

Q: What is the importance of cervical cancer knowledge?

A: Understanding the level of knowledge about cervical cancer in the community is very important to increase efforts to prevent and treat the disease. This study aims to examine the level of cervical cancer knowledge in housewives as parents of students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra (USU) for the class of 2018-2019.

Q: What are the results of the study?

A: The results of the study showed that 50% (43 respondents) had a good level of cervical cancer knowledge. Interestingly, 39.5% of respondents with higher education backgrounds (Diploma, S1, and S2) have good knowledge about cervical cancer. In addition, respondents from various age groups also showed good knowledge.

Q: What are the opportunities for increasing cervical cancer knowledge?

A: Increased education and extension programs regarding cervical cancer, especially regarding risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods, are needed to increase public awareness and encourage healthy living behavior. Educational programs involving various parties, such as health workers, community organizations, and mass media, can be an effective step to increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer.

Q: What is the role of education in increasing cervical cancer knowledge?

A: Education plays a crucial role in increasing cervical cancer knowledge. Educational programs can provide accurate information about cervical cancer, its risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods, which can help to increase public awareness and encourage healthy living behavior.

Q: What is the role of early detection services in preventing cervical cancer?

A: Early detection services, such as Pap Smear examination, are essential in detecting abnormal cells in the cervix and allowing early treatment before developing into cancer. Promoting accessibility to early detection services is crucial in preventing cervical cancer.

Q: What are the recommendations for increasing cervical cancer knowledge?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase education and extension programs: Increased education and extension programs regarding cervical cancer, especially regarding risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods, are needed to increase public awareness and encourage healthy living behavior.
Promote accessibility to early detection services: Promoting accessibility to early detection services for cervical cancer, such as Pap Smear examination, is essential to detect abnormal cells in the cervix and allow early treatment before developing into cancer.
Involve various parties: Educational programs involving various parties, such as health workers, community organizations, and mass media, can be an effective step to increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer.
Target low-educated housewives: Targeting housewives with low educational backgrounds is essential to increase understanding and awareness about cervical cancer, especially among this group.

By implementing these recommendations, we can increase public knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and reduce the number of cervical cancer sufferers in Indonesia.