Effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Women >35 Years in Selected Community Areas of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Vibha Negi, Dr. Kiran Kumari

Abstract: Background: Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women, despite being largely preventable through vaccination, timely screening, and early management of precancerous lesions. The burden is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries, where inadequate awareness, poor utilization of screening services, and delayed health-seeking behaviour continue to hinder effective prevention. Women above 35 years constitute an important target population because persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, prolonged exposure to behavioural risk factors, and limited participation in routine screening substantially increase their susceptibility to cervical malignancy. Improving knowledge through structured educational interventions represents an important nursing strategy to promote informed decision-making and encourage preventive health practices at the community level. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme on knowledge regarding prevention of cervical cancer among women aged more than 35 years residing in selected community areas of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Methods: A quantitative research approach using a one-group quasi-experimental pre-test?post-test design was adopted. The study included 70 women aged more than 35 years selected through probability simple random sampling from selected community areas of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Baseline knowledge was assessed using a validated structured knowledge questionnaire developed following an extensive review of literature and expert validation. Following the pre-test, participants received a Structured Teaching Programme focusing on risk factors, warning signs, Human Papillomavirus infection, screening methods, HPV vaccination, lifestyle modification, and early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Post-test assessment was conducted after the educational intervention using the same questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics using the paired t-test were employed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Before the intervention, most participants demonstrated moderate knowledge regarding prevention of cervical cancer, while only a small proportion possessed adequate knowledge. Following the Structured Teaching Programme, a marked improvement in knowledge was observed, with the majority of women achieving adequate knowledge and none remaining in the inadequate category. The mean knowledge score increased significantly from 18.59 ± 4.04 (51.6%) during the pre-test to 24.67 ± 4.35 (68.5%) during the post-test, yielding a mean improvement of 6.08 points. Statistical analysis demonstrated a highly significant difference between pre-test and post-test knowledge scores (t = 20.601, p < 0.001), confirming the effectiveness of the educational intervention.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, Knowledge, Structured Teaching Programme, Women > 35 years, Cervical cancer prevention, Community health nursing, Health education

How to Cite?: Vibha Negi, Dr. Kiran Kumari, "Effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Women >35 Years in Selected Community Areas of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: A Quasi-Experimental Study", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1007-1012, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26814203903, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26814203903

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