title: A source of error in self-reports of pap test utilization.
abstract: The prevention and early detection of cervical cancer is achieved through women's regular use of Pap tests. Ascertaining adherence to Pap screening guidelines is often based on self-report, which may be unreliable. This study examined the reliability of Pap test self-reports and one potential source of error in them. We predicted that women having any gynecological examination (other than Pap tests) would falsely report having had a Pap test more often than women who had not experienced gynecological procedures. We compared self-reported Pap test utilization with medical records among 161 low-income women. Women with no Pap test in their medical record but who had experienced other gynecological procedures falsely reported a Pap test significantly more often than those women who actually received a Pap test or who had not received any gynecological procedure. Confusion over what type of gynecological procedures these women received could result in their under-utilization of Pap tests. Further, these findings question the validity of study findings based only on self-reported outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8205, USA.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.forename: Tamera R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salovey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011203:Poverty; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014481:United States; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*