title: Knowledge about cervical cancer prevention and psychosocial barriers to screening among Mexican women.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate: Mexican women's knowledge about cervical cancer prevention; psychosocial barriers to screening; and the relation of both to cervical cancer screening behavior. Three hundred and eighty-four rural and urban women who had achieved a basic or higher educational level were surveyed. Almost 80% of the women had a Pap test but rural women were less likely to have done so. Although most women had received their most recent Pap within the last three years, only 29% had had their first Pap in accordance with the official Mexican norm. Participants showed inadequate knowledge about the risk factors for cervical cancer, especially women with only a basic educational level, irrespective of residence in an urban or rural area. Factors associated with non-screening were poor knowledge about Pap testing and about the risk factors for cervical cancer, as well as the following barriers: believing that Pap testing is too embarrassing; believing that men do not want them to have a Pap test; and believing that the test is painful. In light of these socio-cultural influences, our findings could be helpful in designing effective programs to increase Pap screening.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychological Research, Universidad Veracruzana , Xalapa , México.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marván
authors.forename: Yamilet
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ehrenzweig
authors.forename: Rosa Lilia
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Catillo-López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health