Self-reported Pap smear screening in Austria.
BACKGROUND
In Austria, screening for cervical cancer is performed opportunistically since its introduction in the late 1960s and is free of charge. We report the results of a representative cross-sectional nation-wide population study, performed in 2005.


METHODS
Women aged 20-69 years were asked about knowledge, attitudes and behaviour with respect to cervical cancer. The results were compared to data of an identical study performed in 1995.


RESULTS
In 2005, 95.7 % of all women aged 20-69 years knew about Pap smear screening (1995: 94.0 %), and 88.0 % were screened at least once (1995: 76.2 %). 52.6 % of all women can be classified to be screened optimally. The participation rate was lower in women living in rural areas and the proportion of never screened rises with increase of education. Significantly more PAP smears were taken by gynaecologists in 2005 as compared with 1995.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, compared to 1995, the participation rate has increased significantly. Future anti-cancer screening campaigns should contain messages especially targeted at young and well-educated women.
Haidinger
Gerald
G
Department of Epidemiology, Centre of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. gerald.haidinger@meduniwien.ac.at
Waldhoer
Thomas
T
Vutuc
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*