Assessing Knowledge, Screening Practices, And Sociocultural Barriers To Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Women In Semi-Urban India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women in India, particularly in underserved and semi-urban regions where awareness and access to preventive healthcare remain limited (Basu et al., 2020). Despite national efforts such as the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), the uptake of cervical cancer screening services remains alarmingly low. This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 21–65 years residing in semi-urban areas of [District], India, to assess their knowledge about cervical cancer, screening practices, and perceived sociocultural barriers to prevention. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a stratified random sample of 400 participants, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that only 28% of women were aware of cervical cancer screening methods, and less than 15% had undergone any form of screening. Key barriers included lack of knowledge, cultural stigma, spousal disapproval, and healthcare inaccessibility. These results emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive educational campaigns, enhanced community health worker engagement, and integration of screening services into primary healthcare delivery. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers to address the socio-cultural determinants impeding cervical cancer prevention in semi-urban India.