Papanicolaou screening in Taiwan: perceived barriers and self-efficacy

Husband Support Mediates the Association between Self-Efficacy and Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in the Rural Area of Indonesia

Objective:

Standard cervical cancer screening is seen as the most efficient way of preventing cases of cervical cancer. This study aimed to test indirect husband support pathways and the use of self-efficacy and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) testing among women in Indonesian rural areas.

Methods:

The research implemented a cross-sectional design carried out in East Java, Indonesia, a remote county. The inclusion criteria were women between the ages of 30 and 50 years, married or women having experienced of having sexual intercourse, have been utilized VIA test at least 3 years ago. The Self-Efficacy Scale and the Husband Help Survey were used to test the interest variable. A structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationship between husband help and VIA test self-efficacy.

Results:

The study was followed by a total of 219 respondents. Women's mean age was 33.03 years (standard deviation [SD]: 6.44), and the mean age for the husband was 37.51 (SD: 7.45). Just 7.31% had a year ago VIA test, and most (65.75%) had a VIA test within 4 years. A husband's help had the greatest direct impact on the use of Papanicolaou tests, with a 0.312 direction coefficient (P < 0.001). The mediator between the husband's help and the use of VIA tests was self-efficacy (standardized coefficients of the path: 0.123, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our analysis revealed a route through which husband help influences the use of VIA tests among women in Indonesian rural areas. Providers must consider the effect of husband support on VIA testing in promoting the use of VIA tests among females in Indonesia. One potential communication approach is that providers make improvements to improve the use of VIA tests in supporting self-efficacy.

Connaissances, attitudes et croyances concernant le dépistage du cancer du col utérin dans le District d'Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam au Ghana

L'étude a été menée dans le district d'Ajumako-Eyan-Essiam (AEED) et visait à évaluer les connaissances, attitudes et croyances des femmes relativement au dépistage du cancer du col utérin. Au Ghana, ce cancer vient au deuxième rang des causes de cancer gynécologique. Dans les études et la pratique clinique effectuées auprès de femmes atteintes de cancer du col utérin, le diagnostic précoce, le traitement et la prévention du cancer sont largement influencés par leurs connaissances et leurs attitudes envers le dépistage. À ce jour, on ne dispose pas d'étude sur ces perceptions chez les femmes dans le district d'AEED. Un devis transversal quantitatif a été utilisé avec une analyse statistique descriptive de données provenant de 240 femmes. Les résultats ont révélé que 61,3 % d'entre elles ne savaient pas quel organe était touché lors d'un cancer du col utérin ou à quel intervalle un suivi était nécessaire après un résultat de test Pap normal; il y aurait donc des lacunes dans les connaissances. Au total, 36 % croyaient que le test de Papanicolaou (test Pap) était effectué une fois pour toutes, et 57,1 % pensaient qu'il était dispendieux, ce qui limite la participation au dépistage. Par peur de l'inconnu, beaucoup de répondantes avaient refusé le dépistage (48,8 %) alors que d'autres croyaient qu'elles n'étaient pas à risque (65,8 %). De plus, bon nombre de femmes (46,7 %) pensaient qu'il n'y avait pas de traitement contre le cancer du col. En conclusion, les connaissances fausses et inadéquates de ces femmes ont influencé leurs attitudes envers le dépistage du cancer.

Knowledge, attitude and health beliefs on cervical cancer screening in Ajumako-Eyan-Essiam District, Ghana

The study assessed women in Ajumako-Eyan-Essiam District (AEED) on knowledge, attitude, and health beliefs on cervical cancer screening. In Ghana, cervical cancer ranks as the second leading cause of female cancers. In clinical practice and studies done on women with cervical cancer, early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer is widely influenced by women's knowledge, and attitude towards screening, yet there is no study on knowledge, attitude, and health beliefs among women in AEED. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, with a descriptive statistical analysis of data from 240 women. The results showed that 61.3% of women do not know which organs cervical cancer affects or when to follow up after a normal smear, which might suggest some deficit in their level of knowledge. Thirty-six percent believed that the Pap test is done once and 57.1% were of the view that it is expensive, which limits patronage. The majority of respondents refused to go for screening for fear of the unknown (48.8%) while others believed that they might not be at risk (65.8%). A significant number (46.7%) were of the view that cervical cancer cannot be cured. In conclusion, the inadequate knowledge and false health beliefs of women influenced their attitude toward cervical cancer screening.

Health screening and preventative health care in refugee women: A qualitative analysis

Background: Regular health screening provides opportunities for early detection and effective treatment of disease. There is underutilisation of health services by migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly refugees in Australia. Aim: To explore the beliefs, understandings, and use of health and healthcare screening services among African refugee women living in Australia. Design/Method: Qualitative secondary analysis. Method: Oral narratives derived from two primary qualitative datasets of Sub-Saharan women in New South Wales, Australia, underwent secondary thematic analysis. Findings: Twenty-two of the forty-two women had refugee status on migrating to Australia. Thematic findings reflection of misinformation, low health literacy, and health screening as not a priority. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to develop innovative strategies to engage refugee migrant women in health screening by provision of culturally meaningful health information. Relevance to clinical practice: Including refugee women's suggestions for information to be provided by health services may improve attitudes towards screening and preventative health care.

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening among young unmarried Japanese women: results from an internet-based survey

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of cervical cancer among women aged 20-30 years has been increasing. A better understanding of the factors correlated with cervical cancer screening is vital to better identify suitable candidates and develop effective interventions. However, few studies have examined factors correlated with cervical cancer screening using a quantitative research design. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors correlated with cervical cancer screening among unmarried and sexually active Japanese women aged 20-29 years.

METHODS

Seven hundred Japanese women who responded to an internet-based cross-sectional survey conducted by a marketing research company in 2015 were enrolled. Associations between lifetime cervical cancer screening and demographic profile, sexual behavior, and psychosocial factors were assessed via univariate analysis. Variables indicating significance (P < 0.05) were used in the univariate analysis to determine adjusted odds ratios (AOR).

RESULTS

Overall, 383 (54.7%) respondents underwent cervical cancer screening during their lifetime. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, employment status, income, lifetime number of sex partners, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, receipt of a free coupon for cervical cancer screening from the local government, perceived susceptibility and logistical barriers (cost/time), and confidence of receiving Pap testing from a male physician were significantly correlated with lifetime cervical cancer screening. Individuals aged 28-29 years (AOR = 1.86) and those with full-time employment (AOR = 3.30), income ≥ ¥ 4,000,000($35,000) (AOR = 1.60), > 5 lifetime sex partners (AOR = 1.97), HPV vaccination (AOR = 4.88), coupon from the local government (AOR = 3.14), higher perceived level of cervical cancer susceptibility (middle, AOR = 1.77; high, AOR = 3.23), lower perceived logistical barriers (middle, AOR = 0.55; high, AOR = 0.31), and higher confidence of receiving pap testing from a male physician (AOR = 2.66) were more likely to undergo cervical cancer screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who were younger and unemployed and those with lower perceived cervical cancer susceptibility, higher perceived logistical barriers, and lower confidence of receiving Pap testing from a male physician were less likely to undergo lifetime cervical cancer screening. Thus, to increase the cervical cancer screening rate among young women, it may be effective to target younger unemployed women, provide interventions to increase perceived susceptibility, and recommend tests while considering psychosocial barriers.

Knowledge and attitude of women attending Subharti Medical College towards Pap smear

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of women towards the Pap smear. It was carried out on the women coming to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at our University, with the help of a pre-formed questionnaire. We found that only 33% of the women were aware of the Pap smear, and of these hardly (10%) had the correct information. Sixty-five percent of the women said that they would have gotten the Pap smear done, if they had known about it earlier. Unless this knowledge amongst women is improved and their attitude is changed, the indices of cervical cancer cannot be improved. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A Pap smear is used as a screening test to detect not only early stages of cervical cancer but also the precancerous conditions. A Pap smear is done every three years for routine screening, or every five years along with an HPV DNA test. What do the results of this study add? Despite the efforts from the medical fraternity and governments, the number of women undergoing this test in Uttar Pradesh is very minimal. This study analysed the knowledge and attitude of women towards the Pap smear. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results have brought into light the many factors hindering an effective cervical cancer screening in India. Further actions need to be directed in the direction to address these issues.

Factors Predicting Nurse Intent and Status Regarding Pap Smear Examination in Taiwan: a Cross-sectional Survey

BACKGROUND

Nurses are the most visible, frontline personnel providing health education to patients. In particular, nurse experience with Pap examinations have the potential to influence women's attitudes toward screening for cervical cancer. However, nurses in Taiwan have lower rates of Pap testing than the general population. Understanding the factors predicting nurse intent to have a Pap exam and Pap exam status would inform interventions and policies to increase their Pap exam uptake. Therefore, the present study was undertaken.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected by questionnaire from a convenient sample of 504 nurses at a regional hospital in central Taiwan between August and October 2011 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Nurse intention to have a Pap exam was predicted by younger age, less negative attitudes toward Pap exams, and greater influence of others recommendations. However, nurses were more likely to actually have had a Pap exam if they were older, married, had sexual experience, and had a high intention to have a Pap exam.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses who are younger than 34 years old, unmarried, sexually inexperienced, and with low intention to have a Pap exam should be targeted with interventions to educate them not only about the importance of Pap exams in detecting cervical cancer, but also about strategies to decrease pain and embarrassment during exams. Nurses with less negative attitudes and experiences related to Pap exams would serve as role models to persuade women to have Pap exams, thus increasing the uptake rate of Pap exams in Taiwan.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE AND PAP TEST COVERAGE: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

ABSTRACT This integrative review aimed to evidence in the literature health surveillance activities that contribute to the increased coverage of the cervical Pap smear. The search was undertaken between April and May 2014 in the databases LILACS, CINAHL, MEDLINE and Scopus, using the keywords health surveillance, cervix neoplasm prevention, and Papanicolaou test, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. We selected 341 articles, of which 33 met the inclusion criteria. In studies, the actions have been identified and grouped according to two main control practices of cervical cancer adopted in Brazil: primary prevention and secondary prevention, with emphasis on health promotion and prevention actions that contributed to the increased coverage of the cervical Pap smear.

Knowledge, attitudes and practice about pap smear test among women living in Bojnourd, North East of Iran: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the extent of knowledge, attitudes and practical behavior of women in Bojnourd conerning the Pap smear test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional and population-based study was conducted with 1000 Iranian women aged 15-60 years old in Bojnourd city. In order to collect the data, a validated questionnaire was provided in four sections covering demographic information and questions about knowledge, attitude and practice about the Pap smear. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 17.0) applying a 0.05 significance level.

RESULTS

Evaluation of knowledge showed that 146 women (14.6%) had very weak, and 594 women (59.4%) had weak knowledge. In contrast, most of the women studied, 873 (87.3%), had a positive attitude toward the Pap smear test. According to the findings, 375 women (37.6%) had done this test so far. Findings indicated that the extent of knowledge had a meaningful relationship with the attitude status (p<0.0001). Also, there was a meaningful relationship between knowledge and practice, so that the weakest practice was seen in women who had weak knowledge (61.1%), (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to findings of this research, most women do not have an appropriate knowledge about the necessity of having the Pap smear test, so that only a low percentage of women had undergone this test.