Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Behavioral interventions towards knowledge and awareness of reproductive cancer care: A study on select Indians using an online survey

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Padmaja Gadiraju 1
. Ranjit Kumar Dehury 2
. Punam Singh 2
. C. Vanlalhruaii 1
. Parthsarathi Dehury 3
. Kadari Devaraju 4
. Sangita Behera 1

1 Centre for Health Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

2 School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

3 Centre for Health Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharastra, India

4 Centre for Health Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India Department of Psychology, Osmania University, Telangana, India

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The behavioral aspects of human beings influence the incidences of cancer cases
directly and indirectly. The factors like positive thinking and motivation were found to change the
behavior toward knowledge and awareness of cancer. The main objective of the study is to assess
the knowledge and awareness of select Indians about reproductive cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The online survey method assessed various components of
knowledge and awareness about reproductive cancer. A Google Form has been distributed through
social media platforms such as e‑mail, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The coded data has
been computed in SPSS (version 25) by IBM (USA) for the analysis. Univariate and bivariate data
analysis has been drawn to justify the objective.
RESULTS: Nearly 68 percent of the respondents were aware of reproductive cancer. Among them,
17 percent know about cervical cancer, and 12.5 percent have awareness about breast cancer.
Electronic and print media (41.2 percent) were major sources of information about reproductive
cancer. Nearly 48 percent of respondents reported that multiple sexual partners and poor sexual
hygiene were risk factors for reproductive cancer. Around 57 percent of respondents reported
reproductive cancer is preventable, 59 percent knew about cancer screening, and 63.5 percent
knew the treatment process. The gender of the respondents was associated (p‑value = 0.002) with
awareness of reproductive cancer. It has been found that there is a significant association between
knowledge of screening tests and the treatment process of reproductive cancer. The marital status
of respondents is strongly associated (p‑value = 0.000) with the awareness of reproductive cancer.
CONCLUSION: The factors like knowledge of reproductive cancer and awareness proceed as
an important role in cancer prevention. A gender‑neutral cancer awareness program is needed to
increase cancer awareness irrespective of marital status.

Keywords

Adaptive behaviors
cervix cancer
early intervention
motivation
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 12, Issue 10
November 2022
Pages 1-8

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