Factors related to cervical cancer screening among women referring to health centers in Tabriz, Iran 2012

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second common cancer in Iranian women. Pap smear is one of the screening tests used for screening cervical diseases. But screening was not in many women. This study was done to investigate the factors related to cervical cancer screening. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive research that 441 women with health records chosen randomly through multistage clustered sampling among Tabriz health centers, Iran, during 2011 and 2012. A questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics of women and information towards cervical cancer screening was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17, chi-square, Fisher exact test and independent t-test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Only 218 (49.4%) women had the history of doing pap smear test. The main reason of women who had not performed pap smear test was being unaware of pap smear importance (46.1%). Statistical test showed significant relationship between performing cervical cancer screening and age, method of contraception, marriage in low ages, beginning sexual function in low ages and history of couther, cryotherapy and cortege (p<0.05). The mean score of knowledge in the group that performed pap smear was significantly more than the group didn't it (p<0.001). Conclusion: More than half of the women had no history of screening. Regarding the relationship between some risk factors, methods of family planning and awareness score with screening, the women's performance can be improved through sensitize them to the issue and the importance of early diagnosis of cervical cancer.