title: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of Bangkok Metropolitan Women Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge, attitudes and cervical cancer screening behavior of Bangkok Metropolitan women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thai women, aged 25-to-65 years old, having lived in Bangkok for 5 years or more were invited to participate in the study. After signing informed consent, all women were asked to complete a self-questionnaire (Thai language) with literate assistance if needed. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: (I) demographic data; (II) knowledge about cervical cancer screening; and (III) behavior and attitudes, towards cervical cancer screening. Adequate screening was defined as women who had ≥two cervical cancer screening tests except women aged 25-30 years who may have only one screening, and the last screen was within 5 year or had had regular screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 4,339 women, there were 1,857 (42.8%) with adequate screening and 2,482 (57.2%) with inadequate screening. Significant factors associated with inadequate screening included age < 45 years, pre-menopausal status, family monthly income <625 USD, no reported sexual intercourse, nulliparous, no knowledge, lack of awareness and poor attitudes. Three major reasons provided by women for inadequate screening were no symptoms (54.4%), fear of pain (33.2%), and embarrassment (34.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Personal features, knowledge, and attitudes influence screening behavior of Bangkok Metropolitan women. The three most common reasons of women for not undergoinging screening are no symptoms, fear of pain, and embarrassment. These factors should be the focus of attention to improve coverage of cervical cancer screening in Bangkok.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand E-mail : siriwanonco@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Woraphot
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaowawanit
authors.forename: Siriwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tangjitgamol
authors.forename: Nuttavut
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kantathavorn
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Phoolcharoen
authors.forename: Thannaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kittisiam
authors.forename: Jakkapan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khunnarong
authors.forename: Busaba
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Supawattanabodee
authors.forename: Sunamchok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srijaipracharoen
authors.forename: Thaovalai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thavaramara
authors.forename: Kamol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pataradool
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology