title: Prevalence of Abnormal Papanicolaou Test Results and Related Factors among Women Living in Zanjan, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, a comprehensive program for screening and early detection of cervical cancer does not exist in Iran. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and some related factors among women living in Zanjan, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 in Zanjan on 4274 married women aged 20-65 years. The study participants were selected through two-stage cluster sampling. After obtaining written consent, demographic and fertility questionnaires were completed. Samples from cervix were obtained through a standard method using the Rover Cervex- Brush. Evaluation and interpretation of the samples were reported using the Bethesda 2001 method. Data were statistically analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most inflammatory changes in the samples were mild (37.4%). Abnormal atypical changes in the epithelial cells were found in 4.04%. The highest percentage of abnormal changes in the epithelial cells was atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) (1.9%). Abnormal results of Pap smear was significantly and independently associated with age, papillomavirus infection, and lack of awareness about Pap smear tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the high prevalence of inflammatory and precancerous changes in this study, compared to other studies in Iran and other Muslim countries, and the effect of demographic variables and individual factors on abnormal results, increasing the awareness of women and their families regarding the risk factors for cervical cancer, preventive measures such as screening, and timely treatment seem necessary.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran E-mail : ahmad@zums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.forename: Elahe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmadnia
authors.forename: Azar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avazeh
authors.forename: Saeideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazloomzadeh
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Molaei
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalilvand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D065309:Atypical Squamous Cells of the Cervix / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D065310:Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult