title: Factors associated with decisions to attend cervical cancer screening among women aged 30-60 years in Chatapadung Contracting Medical Unit, Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to identify factors associated with women's decisions to attend cervical cancer screening and to explore those linked with intention to attend in the coming year and to continue regular screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based case-control study was conducted among woman 30-60 years of age in catchment area of Chatapadung Contracting Medical Unit (CCMU), networking of Khon Kaen Center Hospital, Thailand. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data, and in-depth interviews were then performed to explore in greater detail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 195 participants. Only one third (32.3 %) had been screened for cervical cancer within the past 5 years. Some 67.7% reported that they had not been screened because they had no abnormal symptoms, single marital status, and no children. Only 10.6% of those never had screening intent to be screened within the next 12 months. High family income (adjusted OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.13-4.14), good attitude towards a Pap test (OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.09-4.23), and having received a recommendation from health care providers were important factors associated with decisions to attend cervical cancer screening (OR=1.73, 95%CI=1.01-4.63). From in-depth interviews, there were five reasons of their decisions to attend cervical cancer screening including yearly check-up, postpartum check-up, having abnormal symptom, encouragement by health care providers, and request from workplace.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High family income, good attitude towards a Pap test, and receiving proper recommendation by health care providers, were important factors associated with decision to have cervical cancer screening among women 30-60 years old. Trying to enhance these factors and reduce barriers regarding screening, may increase the coverage rate for cervical cancer screening in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Khon Kaen Center Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand E-mail : bchumworathayi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jiratha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Budkaew
authors.forename: Bandit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chumworathayi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011379:Prognosis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears