Attitudes and affecting factors of midwifes and nurses towards the early diagnosis of cervi̇cal cancer

The incidence and mortality of cancer worldwide is gradually increasing. Cervical cancer, which is included in gynecological cancers, is an important health problem in women. Screening for cervical cancer has an important place and cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that can be prevented by screening. The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes and affecting factors of midwives and nurses working at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital towards early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The study was conducted analytically and cross-sectionally, with 46 midwives and 159 nurses at Aydın Adnan Menderes University between February 15, 2021 and February 26, 2021. Data collection form and Attitude Scale towards Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer (ASTEDCC) were used to collect research data. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene test, percentile, mean, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Dunn-Bonferroni multiple comparison test were used for data analysis. The mean score of age midwives and nurses participating in the study was 104.9±8.9 (min:77, max:124). As the age of the midwives and nurses progresseed it was determined that the total scores of ASTEDCC increased. It was determined that the total scores of ASTEDCC were low in those with a family history of non-cervical gynecological cancer history. The participants' marital status, living alone, history of vaginal infection, using Oral Contraceptives and having had a Pap-Smear /Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test before affect the ASTEDCC total scores. As a result, in this study, the attitudes of midwives and nurses towards the early diagnosis of cervical cancer were affected by some of their socio-demographic characteristics and obstetric- gynecological characteristc. Although the ASTEDCC scores of the participants were high, the number of participants who had the Pap-Smear/HPV test was low. Participants have information about the early diagnosis of cervical cancer, but it turns out that they they need a chance in behavior when it comes to screening. We believe in-service training, courses/conferences and activities such as training programs etc. related to the subject will be beneficial. Keywords: Cervical cancer, Early diagnosis, Screening, Attitude