Knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to Pap smear test among Iranian women

Background: The Pap smear is a reliable, inexpensive and effective screening test for cervical cancer; the second most common cancer among women worldwide. We aimed to determine women’s knowledge, attitudes and practice towards Pap smear in women live at the northwest of Tehran city.Method: This study, was carried out on 334 outpatient Iranian women in winter 2018. A questionnaire including demographic characteristics (10 questions), knowledge (10 questions), attitudes (5 questions) and practice (2 questions) towards Pap smear was completed by an interview with the women. The data were analyzed using SPSS ver22. Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.59 ± 15.409 years. The level of knowledge of the participants was low at 38.6%, moderate at 48.8%, and high at 12.6%. The attitude of the participants to Pap smear was undesirable in 1.2%, moderate in 3%, and 98.8% desirable. Out of 209 cases, 52.4% had performed the Pap smear test, 24.3% of which performed pap smears alternately. Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of the women were inadequate and needed to be promoted. Considering the main reason mentioned by the participants for not having the test, all health providers should educate and encourage women to do regular Pap smear

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to Pap smear test among Iranian women Keywords:

Pap smear , Knowledge , Attitudes , Practice , Iranian women