Breaking Barriers: Challenges Faced by Nursing Staff in Cervical Cancer Screening at a South Indian Hospital

Abstract Background: Despite sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer screening among female health workers, actual screening rates remain low. Objective: This study aims to assess awareness of cervical cancer among nursing staff and identify perceived and social barriers to utilizing screening services. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 510 married female nursing staff at a tertiary health institution in Puducherry, India, from June to October 2020. Results: 60.4% of the respondents correctly answered more than 60% of the questions on cervical cancer screening. However, only 40% had undergone a Pap smear. Knowledge scores did not differ significantly between those who had a Pap smear and those who had not. ROC curve analysis revealed that knowledge scores were not significant predictors of either having or being willing to have a Pap smear. The main barriers to testing were lack of availability (37.3%), time constraints (22.3%), and motivation (23.3%), despite the test being free and available at their workplace on all working days. Only 7.2% of respondents cited pain, discomfort, or social reasons for their reluctance to undergo screening. Additionally, 51.8% indicated they would undergo screening regularly if it were made mandatory by their employer. Conclusions: The lack of motivation among health workers to use readily available screening services may be further exacerbated in the general population.