An exploration of Papanicolaou smear history and behavior of patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is an effective preventive measure in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality. The national health insurance made free annual cervical screening available to all Taiwanese women 30 years or older.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to increase knowledge about Pap smear screening history, attitudes, and behavior in Taiwanese women with newly diagnosed cervical cancer.


METHODS
One hundred forty-one women with newly diagnosed cervical cancer were prospectively enrolled between January 2007 and June 2008. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey, which included (1) demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, (2) reasons for receiving or not receiving a Pap smear test, and (3) knowledge of and sources of information on Pap smears.


RESULTS
Of the 141 patients, 62 (44.0%) had never had a Pap smear before diagnosis, 10 (7.1%) did not know about the Pap smear, and only 30 (21%) reported having had more than 3 Pap smears in their lifetime. Stepwise logistic regression identified perceived potential pain, fear of embarrassment, and the number of sexual partners of the male consort as independently associated with the number of previous Pap smears (0 vs > or =1).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results highlight the need for a better understanding of women's knowledge and experiences with Pap smear screening and developing more comfortable methods of cervical cancer screening.


CONCLUSIONS
Education strategies should be focused on improving access to never-users. The need for a better understanding of women's experiences with Pap smear screening is highlighted.
Cheng
Hui-Hsin
HH
Nursing Department, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chao
Angel
A
Liao
Mei-Nan
MN
Lin
Jr-Rung
JR
Huang
Huei-Jean
HJ
Chou
Hung-Hsueh
HH
Chang
Ting-Chang
TC
Chen
Wei-ju
WJ
Kuo
Hsiao-Ying
HY
Lai
Chyong-Huey
CH
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D016387:Women's Health