Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Physical Rehabilitation Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia
2 Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second‑most common female cancer in Malaysia after breast
cancer. This study intended to investigate the knowledge and attitude regarding cervical cancer and
its prevention and its associated factors among young female adults in Kuantan, Malaysia, to gauge
the community’s understanding and idea about this issue.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in attractive places in Kuantan, Malaysia,
such as shopping malls and Urban Transformation Centre, using a cross‑sectional study design and
convenience sampling method. Data on the respondents’ knowledge and attitude regarding cervical
cancer and its prevention were collected using a questionnaire. Kruskal–Wallis, Independent t‑,
and Pearson correlation tests were used to investigate the study variables’ association using SPSS
software.
RESULTS: From the total of 142 respondents, almost half of them aged between 20 and 24 years old
with the majority were Malays (85.9%) and single (74.6%). The internet (78.1%) was identified as the
main medium to gain information regarding cervical cancer. The results show that levels of education,
races, and occupation types were statistically significantly associated with the respondents’ knowledge
and attitude scores in this study. Age was found to be associated with knowledge scores only, while
marital status was only significantly associated with the attitude scores regarding cervical cancer and
its prevention. Knowledge scores were also found to be positively associated with attitude scores.
CONCLUSION: Several socio‑demographic factors were significantly associated with the knowledge
and attitude regarding cervical cancer and its prevention. In view of the positive association between
knowledge and attitude scores, suitable health promotion activities can be designed and planned to
increase young female adults’ knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer and its prevention.
Keywords
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