The accuracy of Pap smear utilization self-report: a methodological consideration in cervical screening research.
One method used to determine utilization rates of cervical screening is women's self-report. Few studies have assessed the accuracy of this measure--none has been conducted in Australia--although there are a number of reasons for suspecting its validity. This study examined and quantified the accuracy of self-report of Pap smear use among a randomly selected sample of women from an Australian community. Accuracy of Pap smear utilization self-report within a three-year period was assessed by comparison with pathology records. Results indicated that almost half of the women who have not had Pap smears within three years will be missed by a self-report measure of utilization. Some implications for the measurement and use of self-report data are discussed.
Bowman
J A
JA
Discipline of Behavioural Science in Relation to Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Redman
S
S
Dickinson
J A
JA
Gibberd
R
R
Sanson-Fisher
R W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011897:Random Allocation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*