KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PAP SMEAR AS A SCREENING PROCEDURE AMONG NURSES OF TEACHING HOSPITAL BIRGUNJ

Author Name: *Ms. Chanak Trikhatri, **Ms. Abhilasha Saha, ***Ms. Puja Yadav

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: NEPAL

DOI NO.: 08.2020-89445711, DOI Link: http://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/08.2020-89445711/

Affiliation:

1. Lecturer Advance Adult Health Nursing, National Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal
2. Associate Prof. Pediatric Nursing, National Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal
3. Registered Nurse, National Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal                          E-Mail ID: ctrikhatri1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The utilization of Pap smear screening helps to identify precancerous and potentially precancerous changes in cervical cells and tissue in the case of cervical cancer. The objective of the study is to find out the level of knowledge regarding Pap smear as a screening procedure and to measure the association between levels of knowledge regarding pap smear with selected demographic characteristics. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to conduct the study on Knowledge Regarding Pap Smear as a Screening Procedure among Nurses. As 103 nurses were selected by using Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling Technique from the different ward of National Medical College Teaching Hospital Birgunj. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaire. The obtained data were entered in epiData version 3.1 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that 71.8% were in age ≤24 years and 28.2% were above 24 years. Similarly, 53.4% had >1 year of experience and 46.6% had ≤1 year of experience in Nursing. Regarding the experience in the present ward, 53.4% had ≤1 year and 46.6% had more than 1 year of experience. The study findings revealed that the majority 65.0% of the nurses had adequate knowledge regarding Pap-smear as a Screening Procedure and only 35.0% had inadequate knowledge regarding the Pap smear. The finding also reveals that there is no statistically significant association between the level of knowledge and selected demographic variables. The study concluded that more than two-thirds of nurses had adequate knowledge however one-third of had inadequate knowledge related to Pap Smear as a Screening Procedure. Nurses should be motivated and encouraged for self-directed learning and follow rational changes and development in their knowledge.

Key words: Pap Smear Screening, Precancerous, Cervical