Cancer of the cervix: Knowledge and attitudes of female patients admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam

Objectives: To determine the level of knowledge of basic symptoms of cancer of the cervix among Tanzanian females and to determine causes of late presentation with advanced disease among cancer patients. Design: Hospital based cross-sectional study. Setting: Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Subjects: Eighty nine cervical cancer patients and 178 controls were interviewed between August 1999 and January 2000. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info version 6.04. Results: At Muhimbili National Hospital most patients are admitted in very advanced stages of the disease (Stage IIb and IV). We determined, using a structured questionnaire, knowledge of basic symptoms of cancer of the cervix, attitude and reasons for late presentation among female patients admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital gynaecological ward. The mean age of cases was 48.8 (SD11.1) years and the mean parity was 6.7 years were comparable to that of control, which were 45 years(SD10.8) and mean parity of 6.6 respectively. Mean age in years at marriage was lower for cases 17.5(SD 2.9) than controls 18.8(SD3.5). Majority of cases (50.6%) and controls (23.6%) were illiterate, and 21.3% of cases and 33.7% of controls had incomplete primary education. Majority of both cases (47.23%) and controls (56.7%) had no routine gynaecological examination and they did not find it necessary. More than 90% of the cases were in advanced stages of the disease (stage IIb-IV). Conclusion: Both cases and controls had low knowledge of basic symptoms of cancer of the cervix and as a result most of those who happen to have problems reported late with advanced disease.