Abstract 74: Baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in the Zululand District, South Africa

Abstract Purpose: Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer- related deaths among women, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Screening programs, such as Pap smears and HPV testing, play a crucial role in early detection and significantly reduce the risk of advanced cervical cancer. However, awareness and participation in screening programs vary widely, often hindered by factors like limited healthcare access, cultural barriers, and lack of education on cervical cancer. Increasing awareness and access to screening is essential for reducing cervical cancer incidence and promoting women’s health globally. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cervical cancer screening among women in a resource-limited setting in South Africa. Methods: The baseline survey was conducted in the sub-districts of Abaqulusi, eDumbe, uPhongolo, Ulundi and Nongoma targeting community members at 52 healthcare facilities. Each clinic aimed to recruit 50 participants, reaching a total of 26,000 respondents. The survey training for CBO personnel covered research principles, ethics, informed consent, questionnaire content, and recruitment strategies, ensuring accurate and culturally sensitive data collection. Results: The survey results indicate variability in baseline knowledge across facilities, with median knowledge scores ranging from 36.7% to 86.7%, and an overall median of 60%. This variation reflects significant disparities in cervical cancer awareness and screening knowledge, likely influenced by location-specific factors and resource availability. Sub-district analysis showed eDumbe with a mean score of 58.4%, Abaqulusi at 57.1%, and uPhongolo at 55.9%, suggesting a uniform yet limited awareness level across regions. Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to enhance cervical cancer screening awareness, especially in lower-scoring areas. The results of this baseline survey will inform future training efforts, the development of tailored health education materials, and the implementation of screening programs across all sub-districts in the coming year. Such efforts are crucial in building community capacity for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, ultimately aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality rates within the KwaZulu-Natal region. Citation Format: Siyabonga B. Dlamini, Nocawe Ndukula, Nkosana Jafta, Zamasomi P. B. Luvuno, Gugu Gigaba, Khumbulani W. Hlongwana, Themba G. Ginindza. Baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in the Zululand District, South Africa [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 74.