Scenario: Assessing Knowledge About Cervical Cancer Among Medical Students

Discover: Scenario: Assessing Knowledge About Cervical Cancer Among Medical Students – Imagine you’re working on a research project to gauge how much medical students at ABC Medical College know about cervical cancer. You want to make sure your study is well-planned and follows a clear methodology. Here’s how you can outline your approach:

1. Study Population
The study population will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students currently enrolled at ABC Medical College. This group is chosen due to their advanced education in medical sciences, which makes them relevant for evaluating knowledge about cervical cancer.

2. Study Area
The study will be carried out at ABC Medical College in City XYZ. The college’s diverse student body and its focus on comprehensive medical education provide an ideal setting for assessing cervical cancer knowledge.

3. Study Design
This will be a cross-sectional study designed to assess knowledge about cervical cancer among medical students at ABC Medical College. This design allows for a snapshot of students’ understanding at one point in time, providing a clear view of their current knowledge.

4. Study Duration
The study will be conducted over a period of 3 months, starting in January 2025 and concluding in March 2025. The duration includes 1 month for distributing and collecting the surveys and 2 months for analyzing the data and preparing the final report.

5. Sample Size
Based on the assumption of 50% baseline knowledge, with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error, the study will include 384 medical students. This sample size is calculated to provide reliable and significant results.

6. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Inclusion criteria: All undergraduate and postgraduate medical students currently enrolled at ABC Medical College. Exclusion criteria: Students who are on academic or medical leave during the study period will be excluded from the study.

7. Study Procedure
Following ethical approval, participants will be recruited through campus announcements and email invitations. A structured questionnaire designed to assess knowledge about cervical cancer will be distributed. Data collection will take place over 4 weeks, with follow-up reminders sent to maximize response rates.

8. Data Collection Tools
Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire comprising multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions. This questionnaire has been validated in previous studies to ensure reliability and accuracy in measuring knowledge.

9. Outcome Variables
The primary outcome variable is the level of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed through the scores obtained from the questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include variations in knowledge levels based on academic year and gender, providing additional insights into factors influencing knowledge.