{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Associated factors with cervical pre-malignant lesions among the married fisher women community at Sadras, Tamil Nadu.
{Author}: Ganesan S;Subbiah VN;Michael JC;
{Journal}: Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs
{Volume}: 2
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jan-Mar 2015
{Factor}: 2.22
{DOI}: 10.4103/2347-5625.146223
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To identify the associated factors of cervical pre-malignant lesions among the married fisher women residing in the coastal areas of Sadras, Tamil Nadu.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The study was conducted in five fishermen communities under Sadras, a coastal area in Tamil Nadu, India. Two hundred and fifty married fisher women residing in the area. Quantitative descriptive approach with a cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule for identifying the associated factors and Pap smear test was performed for identifying the pre-malignant cervical lesions among the married fisher women. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Among 250 women, about six (2.4%) of them presented with pre-cancerous lesions such as atypical squamous cell of undifferentiated significance (ASCUS) - five (2%) and mild dysplasia one (0.4%). Majority of the women, about 178 (71.2%) women, had abnormal cervical findings. Statistical analysis showed a significant association of risk factors such as advanced age, lack of education, low socioeconomic status, using tobacco, multiparity, premarital sex, extramarital relationship, using cloth as sanitary napkin, etc.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The study findings clearly show the increased vulnerable state of the fisher women for acquiring cervical cancer as they had many risk factors contributing to the same.