Cervical cancer screening among Thai women in Northern California.
OBJECTIVE
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer for Thai women in Thailand, but little is known about the cancer screening practices of Thai immigrants in the United States. This study explores factors that influence cervical cancer screening behavior among Thai women in California.


METHODS
In 2003, face-to-face interviews were conducted in Northern California among Thai women age > or = 18 years. Surveys collected information on use and adherence to Pap tests, demographic characteristics, access to healthcare variables, enabling factors, and knowledge of and attitude toward cervical cancer and screening.


RESULTS
Among the 322 women included in the study, 74% were ever screened and 61% were screened within the last 3 years (adherent) for cervical cancer. Having a doctor's recommendation was significantly associated with ever having and recently having a Pap test. Insurance status, language most used, and selected knowledge and enabling variables were also predictors of Pap screening.


CONCLUSIONS
The Pap testing rates for Thai women in our sample were lower than national guidelines. Interventions should be targeted toward improving access to screening (especially for first-time screeners), enhancing culturally appropriate patient-physician interactions to promote screening, deemphasizing sexual activity, and increasing knowledge about cervical cancer causes for Thai women in the United States.
Tsui
Jennifer
J
School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California 92834-6870, USA.
Tanjasiri
Sora Park
SP
D000328:Adult; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000208:ethnology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data