Study the Relationship between cervical cancer risk factors and the knowledge and Attitude of health workers toward Pap smear in Isfahan and its comparison with Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in the female reproductive system. Awareness of cervical cancer diagnosis, its risk factors and screening can lead to rapid treatment and their well-being Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1900 female health workers in Isfahan province and 230 similar women in Ch &Bakhtari province. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge and attitude. Numerical outcomes were analyzed using ANOVA and linear regression methods and categorical outcomes were applied to Chi-squared test. Data were analyzed at 5% significant level using SPSS23. Findings: The mean age (± SD) of the studied females in Isfahan and Ch&B was 34.6 ± 7.03 and 35.2 ± 6.8 years respectively.The mean score (± SD) of knowledge and attitude toward pap smear of cervical cancer in Isfahan and C&B provinces was 83.1 ± 14.2, 79.2 ± 16.97, 71.46 ± 14.67 and 48 ± 10 respectively. The result of linear regression showed that there was a significant difference in mean score of knowledge of pap smear between Isfahan and C & B (b = -10.2, 95% CI: (-12.3, -8.1 ) , p = 0. 001) . There was a significant relationship between the mean scores knowledge of Pap smear in Isfahan province with a marriage at an early age (b = 3.9, 95% CI: (2.03, 5.8), p = 0 .001) and smoking (b = 2.5, 95% CI: (0.74, 4.2), p = 0.005) and C & B province with cervical ulcer (b = 9. 5, 95% CI: (0.93, 18.1), p = 0 .03). and was a significant difference in the mean score of attitude toward pap smear between Isfahan and Ch & B (b = -23.3, 95% CI: ( -25.3 , -21.4 ) , p: 0. 001 ) There was a significant relationship between the mean scores attitude toward pap smear in Isfahan province and marriage at an early age (b = 3.1 , 95% CI: ( 1.3 , 4.3 ) , p = 0.001) , cervical ulcer (b = 3.9 , 95% CI: ( 1.5 , 6.4 ) , p = 0.002 ) and smoking (b = 2.7 , 95% CI: ( 1.1 , 4.3 ) , p = 0.001) and C & B province with genital infection (b = -6.8, 95% CI: ( -4 , 1.5 ) , p = 0.012 ) increase the number of pregnancies ( b = -5.2, 95% CI: ( -8.4 , 1.9 ) , p = 0.002 ) .Conclusion: Considering the importance of knowledge and attitude of female health staff in both provinces, it is necessary to carry out educational programs especially in the provinces of Ch & B.

Keywords:

Knowledge , Attitude , cervical cancer , Pap smear , Health Workers