How sexual history and knowledge of cervical cancer and screening influence Chinese women's screening behavior in mainland China.
BACKGROUND
Accurate information and knowledge about cervical cancer and screening importantly influence women's cervical screening participation. Sexual behavior plays a crucial role in human papillomavirus transmission and the subsequent development of cervical cancer. Indeed, the uptake of cervical screening among Chinese women is relatively low compared with other populations.


OBJECTIVE
To understand women's attendance pattern of cervical screening, knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, and factors influencing their utilization of cervical screening in mainland China.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect women's participation pattern for cervical screening, knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, sociodemographic information and sexual history, and barriers to participating in cervical screening.


RESULTS
Married women and women who had had their first intercourse after the age of 21 years were significantly more likely to participate in screening. Screened women demonstrated a higher level of knowledge about the cervical screening procedure compared with nonscreened women (P = .002). Also, the scores of individual items such as women's knowledge of cervical screening and risk factors were significantly different between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The current system of free physical examinations for women in mainland China is a major motivator for women's utilization of cervical screening services. Chinese women's marital status and sexual history influence their screening behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Unmarried women who have ever had sex should be encouraged to have cervical screening, and consistent and appropriate information about the preventive nature of cervical screening and risk factors associated with cervical cancer should be provided to the general public.
Gu
Can
C
Nethersole School of Nursing, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China.
Chan
Carmen W H
CW
Twinn
Sheila
S
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology