Increasing Education in the Educational Environment

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 36 views

The Level of Knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 Class of Cervical Cancer: A Promising Picture

Introduction

Cervical cancer, a disease that attacks the lower part of the uterus, is a serious threat to women's health. In developing countries, the incidence of cervical cancer is still high due to lack of awareness and early detection. In 2017, there were 570,000 cases of cervical cancer worldwide, making it the most serious disease after breast cancer in women. The main cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, which is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Other factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer are age, the number of pregnancies, the use of contraceptives, and family history.

Understanding the level of public knowledge, especially prospective health workers, about cervical cancer is crucial in preventing and controlling the disease. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra (USU) for class of 2017-2018 on cervical cancer. The method used is descriptive with the design cross-sectional, collecting data through online questionnaires that are disseminated to 174 female students.

Methodology

The study used a descriptive research design with a cross-sectional approach to collect data from 174 female students of the Faculty of Medicine, USU. The data collection instrument was an online questionnaire that was disseminated to the students. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to knowledge about cervical cancer, including its causes, symptoms, and prevention methods.

Results

The results of the study showed that 87 (50%) of the students became respondents. Of these, 85 female students (48.9%) have good knowledge about cervical cancer, 74 students (42.5%) have sufficient knowledge, and only 15 female students (8.6%) have less knowledge. This shows that in general, the level of knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class of cervical cancer is at a good stage.

Discussion

The results of this study are good news, considering that the student of the Faculty of Medicine has an important role in increasing public awareness about cervical cancer. They will become health workers who are ready to provide accurate education and information to patients. However, although most female students have good knowledge, there are still 8.6% who have less knowledge. This shows the need for more intensive efforts to increase knowledge about cervical cancer, not only among prospective health workers, but also in the wider community.

Conclusion

The level of knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class of cervical cancer is at a good stage. However, there is still a need for more intensive efforts to increase knowledge about cervical cancer, not only among prospective health workers, but also in the wider community. Some steps that can be taken to increase knowledge about cervical cancer include:

Recommendations

Increasing Education in the Educational Environment

Material about cervical cancer needs to be included in the education curriculum, both at the secondary school and tertiary level. This will ensure that students have a solid foundation of knowledge about cervical cancer and its prevention methods.

Public Education Campaign

Through mass media, seminars, and social activities, the community can be given correct and easy to understand information about cervical cancer, risk factors, and prevention efforts. This will help to increase awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer among the wider community.

Increased Access to HPV Examination

HPV examination can be done routinely to detect early HPV infections that have the potential to cause cervical cancer. Increased access to this inspection can be done by providing subsidies or free inspection programs for underprivileged communities.

Conclusion

With joint efforts, we can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Indonesia and improve the quality of life of women. The results of this study provide a promising picture of the level of knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class of cervical cancer. However, there is still a need for more intensive efforts to increase knowledge about cervical cancer, not only among prospective health workers, but also in the wider community.

References

World Health Organization. (2017). Cervical Cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cancer.
University of North Sumatra. (2017). Faculty of Medicine, USU.

Limitations

This study has some limitations. The sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted only among female students of the Faculty of Medicine, USU. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include male students as well.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include male students as well. Additionally, studies should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of public education campaigns and HPV examination programs in increasing knowledge and reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cervical Cancer and the Level of Knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 Class

Q: What is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus in women. It is a serious threat to women's health and is one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide.

Q: What are the causes of cervical cancer?

A: The main cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, which is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Other factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer are age, the number of pregnancies, the use of contraceptives, and family history.

Q: What is the level of knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class of cervical cancer?

A: The results of the study showed that 87 (50%) of the students became respondents. Of these, 85 female students (48.9%) have good knowledge about cervical cancer, 74 students (42.5%) have sufficient knowledge, and only 15 female students (8.6%) have less knowledge. This shows that in general, the level of knowledge of the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class of cervical cancer is at a good stage.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings suggest that the USU Faculty of Medicine Students in the 2017-2018 class have a good level of knowledge about cervical cancer. However, there is still a need for more intensive efforts to increase knowledge about cervical cancer, not only among prospective health workers, but also in the wider community.

Q: What are some steps that can be taken to increase knowledge about cervical cancer?

A: Some steps that can be taken to increase knowledge about cervical cancer include:

Increasing education in the educational environment
Public education campaigns
Increased access to HPV examination

Q: Why is it important to increase knowledge about cervical cancer?

A: Increasing knowledge about cervical cancer is important because it can help to prevent and control the disease. Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women's health, and early detection and treatment can save lives.

Q: What are some ways to increase access to HPV examination?

A: Some ways to increase access to HPV examination include providing subsidies or free inspection programs for underprivileged communities.

Q: What are some ways to increase education in the educational environment?

A: Some ways to increase education in the educational environment include including material about cervical cancer in the education curriculum, both at the secondary school and tertiary level.

Q: What are some ways to conduct public education campaigns?

A: Some ways to conduct public education campaigns include using mass media, seminars, and social activities to provide correct and easy to understand information about cervical cancer, risk factors, and prevention efforts.

Q: What are some ways to evaluate the effectiveness of public education campaigns and HPV examination programs?

A: Some ways to evaluate the effectiveness of public education campaigns and HPV examination programs include conducting surveys, focus groups, and other forms of research to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to cervical cancer.

Q: What are some future directions for research on cervical cancer?

A: Some future directions for research on cervical cancer include increasing the sample size and including male students as well, evaluating the effectiveness of public education campaigns and HPV examination programs, and conducting studies to assess the impact of these programs on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to cervical cancer.