Volume : 09, Issue : 02, February – 2022

Title:

06.KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARD CERVICAL PAP SMEAR AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA

Authors :

Dr. Ilham Hasan, Dr. Muied Alqarny

Abstract :

Background: Cervical cancer is a prevalent disease that is a leading source of morbidity and mortality in women across the world, although it is preventable, diagnosed early, and highly treatable.
Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of women attending PHCCs for cervical pap smear. The study included 382 women, of which 63.9% were married.
Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was implemented using a self-administered questionnaire based on PHCCs attendance. The target population of this study were women attending PHCCs, Taif, Saudi Arabia. We distributed a self-administed questionnaire that was adapted from a previous study. The questionnaire collected data about sociodemographic characters, as well as questions assessing knowledge and awarenss of participants towards cervical Pap smear. Consted was obtained from all participants after explaining the aim of the study.
Results: Our study found that 62.3% did not hear about pap smear previously, and the remaining [37.7%] heard about it mostly through Gynecologist/family doctor [13.1%]. Over a half [62%] of participants did not know when to start doing Pap smear, and only 18,1% answered correctly as after marriage. The majority [83.5%] of women did not know how frequently they should do Pap smear, and only 4.7% answered correctly as every three years. Similarily, the majority [85.9%] did not know when to stop doing the Pap smear screening, and only 6.8% answered correctly as at the age of 65 years. Moreover, 85.9% did not know the difference between Pap smear and high vaginal swap. The study found a significant association between having heard about Pap smear and level of education [P=0.017], and profession [P=0.015]. More subjects reported subjective knowledge among university graduates [45.1%], and employee [53%]. Profession was also significantly associated [P=0.008] with an attitude item that is to ask the physician to take a cervical Pap smear, as more employee [15.2%] always did so.
Conclusion: Our study revleaed that there is a relatively low level of knowledge towards cervical Pap smears among PHCC visitors in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The most common source of knowledge was the gynecologist in a healthcare setting. The majority of women are interested to know more about cervical Pap smear. We recommend more awareness program to be conducted among the general public in Taif, Saudi Arabia targeting adult and married women.

Cite This Article:

Please cite this article in press Ilham Hasan et al, Knowledge And Attitude Toward Cervical Pap Smear Among Women Attending Primary Health Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study In Taif, Saudi Arabia., Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2022; 09[2].

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