Awareness of cervical cancer screening test (PAP smear) among women attending maternal and gynecology health services and women employees of a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Author(s): T. Govardhan, C R Sirajunnisa Begum, Jyoti Brahmaiah, Amulya T, Satyanarayana Rentala

Objective: To explore perceptions of women in the Chittoor district regarding the PAP smear as a cervical cancer screening test. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study were conducted among 2141 in OPD patients of obstetrics and gynecology department, healthcare workers working in institute of AIMSR and Government hospital, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh in study duration of six months. All categorical data were presented as numbers and percentages. Results: Among the total study population (2141), 59.8% had not known about cervical cancer screening test. Participating population are familiar about PAP smear most commonly through health care workers 22.5% where the predominant population of 68.6% have no clue about PAP smears. Among the total population astonishingly 94.2% are interested in knowing about PAP smear which is a cervical cancer screening test. Conclusions: Our research indicates that the populace of the Chittoor district has an unacceptable level of knowledge and attitude about PAP smears. The importance of screening tests in detecting cervical cancer early, when it is still curable, must thus be properly communicated.

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