Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Women in Shiraz about Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear 2009

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the prevalent and mortal cancers. The aim of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of women toward this cancer and Pap smear.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 402 women through a questionnaire with 5 socio-demographic parameters and 14 questions about knowledge, attitude and practice. We aimed to know how knowledge, attitude and practice are affected by socio-demographic status and how practice is affected by knowledge and attitude.

Results: The mean score was 4.09. Knowledge and age did not correlate directly. Old aged women had the best knowledge. As the number of children rose, knowledge deteriorated, vice versa about the age of marriage and education. The clerks were better than housewives and businesswomen. Just 3.5% did not consider the regular Pap as necessary (with the lower educational level). Almost 99% intended to get more information. The minority (28.1%) had the incorrect attitude toward the curability of the cancer. Most of the women referred to do Pap due to health center personnel’s advice. About 80% had undesired practice.

Discussion: The educated ones had more appropriate and optimistic incorrect attitude compared to the uneducated ones. As more years pass from the age of marriage, practice gets worse. All the newly married women had the desired practice, correct attitude and intended to get more information. All the women who knew it unnecessary had undesired practice. Women with the desired practice had 9% more correct attitude and 9% more optimistic incorrect attitude compared to the undesirably practicing ones. Totally, practice is not much influenced by attitude.