Pap smear use in a population of older Mexican-American women

BACKGROUND: Hispanic women and older women (age > or = 50 years) in general have been identified as populations of women who often underutilize Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. OBJECTIVE: To report the rates of cervical cancer screening in a group of older Mexican American women and to identify the correlates of having a Pap smear in the past three years. DATA SOURCE: The Mammography Use by Older Mexican-American Women Survey, a stratified area probability sample of 452 women ages 50-74 from three southeast Texas counties. Self-report data was collected with in-person interviews from 1997 to 1999. RESULTS: We found that 93.1% of the women reported at least one Pap smear in their lifetime and that 64.1% reported a Pap smear in the past three years. Odds of reporting a recent Pap smear was lower for older women (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.82) and those below the poverty line (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.82). The odds were higher for women who had a regular doctor for female care (OR 6.49, 95% CI 2.96-14.23) or a regular clinic or hospital source for female care (OR 5.50, 95% CI 2.55-11.89). Among these older Mexican-American women, cultural factors (language of interview, acculturation, fatalism) did not have a significant effect on screening use. CONCLUSION: Recent Pap smear use (64.1%) falls well below the year 2010 goal of 90%. Efforts need to be made to overcome barriers to Pap smear utilization for these women, such as providing access to female medical care.     

Correlates of Intent to Seek Unnecessary Pap Tests Among Elderly Women

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer screening may be over-used by elderly women who might not benefit from the test. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative importance of objective factors (e.g. intact cervix) and subjective factors (e.g. patients' Pap-smear related beliefs/attitudes) as correlates of elderly women's intention to have a Pap smear. METHODS: This study was a secondary data analysis using a subset sample of the elderly women (>or=65 years) who participated in the Texas Tech 5000 Survey Wave 4, a cross-sectional phone interview study conducted in 2002. Intent to have a Pap test, previous gynecologic history, and beliefs/attitudes related to Pap tests were measured. chi2 tests and logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 1,044 women in the analytical sample, 70.2% (733) reported intending to have a Pap smear test within the next 2 years. About 77% (449/582) of the women who had not undergone a hysterectomy reported the intend to have a Pap smear, whereas 62% (284/462) of the women who had undergone a hysterectomy reported the same intent (chi 2 = 30.26; df = 1; p = .000). Among women who had undergone a hysterectomy, having received a Pap smear within the past 2 years (odds ratio OR, 21.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.52-39.47), perceiving that their doctors might feel having the test is a good idea (OR, 7.14; 95% CI, 3.15-16.19), and insurance covering the test (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.18-4.15) were positive correlates of intent to have a Pap test. Among women who had not undergone a hysterectomy, previous Pap smear history (OR, 19.28; 95% CI, 10.15-37.10), perceived doctor's opinion (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 2.38-12.19), perceived pain of the test (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, .28-.99), perceived importance (OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.32-12.10), and perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.27-14.33) were correlates. CONCLUSIONS: Public health educational messages intended to increase appropriate use of Pap screening should include factual information about risk factors such as age and possession of an intact cervix. Other messages intended to reduce inappropriate use of Pap screening should be directed at physicians, since many elderly women intend to inappropriately seek Pap tests based on erroneous beliefs/attitudes.     

Pap smear use in California: are we closing the racial/ethnic gap?

BACKGROUND: Minority women continue to be disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. Minority population groups at high risk for cervical cancer may be failing to fully comply with screening recommendations. The use of Pap smears among women in California was evaluated to identify ethnic groups at higher risk for noncompliance with cervical cancer screening. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 2001 California Health Interview Survey data. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent contribution of race/ethnicity to the use of Pap smears. RESULTS: Hispanic (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05) and Black (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.001-1.06) women are more likely to report a Pap smear in the past 3 years as compared to White women. Asians were the least likely to report cervical cancer screening despite a more favorable sociodemographic profile. Screening rates varied among Hispanic or Asian subgroups; Mexicans, Vietnamese, Chinese, and South Asians are particularly underserved. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the country as a whole, Hispanic women in California are more likely to report a recent Pap smear as compared to White women. However, racial/ethnic disparities in Pap smear use persist; Asian women are the least likely to report cervical cancer screening as compared to any other group.     

Cancer screening in women: body mass index and adherence to physician recommendations

BACKGROUND: The reasons that obese women are less likely to obtain mammograms and Papanicolaou tests (Pap smears) are poorly understood. This study evaluated associations between body mass index (BMI) and receipt of and adherence to physician recommendations for mammography and Pap smear. METHODS: Data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (8289 women aged 40 to 74 years) were analyzed in 2006 using logistic regression. Women with previous hysterectomy were excluded from Pap smear analyses (n=5521). Outcome measures were being up-to-date with screening, receipt of physician recommendations, and women's adherence to physician recommendations for mammography and Pap smear. RESULTS: After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, healthcare access, health behaviors, and comorbidity, severely obese women (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)) were less likely to have had mammography within 2 years (odds ratio [OR]=0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.37-0.68) and a Pap smear within 3 years (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.27-0.70). Obese women were as likely as normal-weight women to receive physician recommendations for mammography and Pap smear. Severely obese women were less likely to adhere to physician recommendations for mammography (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.32-0.76). Women in all obese categories (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) were less likely to adhere to physician recommendations for Pap smear (ORs ranged from 0.17 to 0.28, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obese women are less likely to adhere to physician recommendations for breast and cervical cancer screening. Interventions focusing solely on increasing physician recommendations for mammography and Pap smears will probably be insufficient for obese women. Additional strategies are needed to make cancer screening more acceptable for this high-risk group.     

Hispanic acculturation and utilization of cervical cancer screening in the US

BACKGROUND: Hispanic women have an incidence rate of invasive cervical cancer that is twice as high as that of non-Hispanic White women. Previous investigations have reported that Hispanics are less likely to utilize cancer screening services. Using data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, this study examined whether acculturation of Hispanic women was associated with cervical cancer screening. METHODS: The subjects included 2307 Hispanic women aged 21-70 who did not have a history of cervical cancer or a hysterectomy. Women were analyzed by acculturation level according to whether or not they ever had a Pap smear and had one in the previous year and previous 3 years. RESULTS: Acculturation levels tended to be inversely correlated with no Pap smear. Compared to lower acculturated women, women who were more acculturated were less likely to never had a Pap smear (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.58-1.27 for moderate acculturated women and OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.29-0.89 for higher acculturated women). Similar results were found for having no Pap smear within the past 3 years (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.61-1.13 for moderate acculturated women and OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.49-1.08 for higher acculturated women). CONCLUSION: The findings show that lower acculturation was associated with the under use of cervical cancer screening and suggest that these women might have barriers in accessing and utilizing Pap smears.     

Community-based cultural predictors of Pap smear screening in Nova Scotia

BACKGROUND: Pap smear screening is effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. However, some subgroups of women are less likely to be screened than others. Since Canadian provincial health databases do not contain data fields identifying ethnicity or language, analyses employing these variables are typically not available. This paper overcomes this problem by using community- rather than person-based measures. Associations with having had a recent Pap smear are reported by community income, language, ethnic group, and urban/rural status, as well as the woman's age. METHODS: The provincial Health Card Number and Cytology Registries were linked to ascertain the screening status of women in mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Postal codes were linked to census enumeration areas and then to Statistics Canada census data to create community-based cultural measures for each woman. RESULTS: Women in mainland Nova Scotia were more likely to have had a recent Pap smear (Odds Ratio (OR)=1.36; 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.33-1.39). Women living in low income (OR=1.19; CI:1.15-1.22), Aboriginal (OR=1.60; CI:1.46-1.76), mixed Black (OR=1.25; CI:1.19-1.30) and rural (OR=1.09; CI:1.07-1.11) communities and who were older were less likely to have had a recent Pap smear. DISCUSSION: These findings were not unexpected. In the United States and elsewhere, associations between Pap screening status and women with low income, rural residence, Aboriginal and Black heritage have been reported using person-based methods. Our findings demonstrate a method of providing measures of ethnicity and language that should be considered for use in Canadian studies of service utilization, disease status, and well-being.     

Cervical screening in general practice

Abstract: This study examined the effect of three interventions for encouraging women to have a Pap smear in a general practice: tagging the medical record to remind the doctor to offer a Pap smear, sending an invitation to make an appointment for a Pap smear, and sending an invitation with an appointment to attend for a Pap smear at a special screening clinic staffed by women. The study took place in a university general practice at Lockridge, near Perth. A computerised practice age-sex register provided 2139 women in the age range 36 to 69 inclusive. Of these, 757 were eligible for inclusion in the study and were allocated randomly to one of three intervention groups or a control group. In total, 177 women had a Pap smear during the study. Significantly more Pap smears were taken for the appointment-letter and letter-only groups than the control group (odds ratio (OR) 2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34 to 3.57, and OR 1.67, CI 1.01 to 2.77 respectively), but there was no significant difference between the tagged-notes and the control groups. Women who attended the screening clinic rated the experience positively. Attendance, however, was inadequate for the clinic's viability in a private practice.     

Reasons women do not attend screening for cervical cancer: a population-based study in Sweden

BACKGROUND: With an improved compliance with screening a larger reduction of cervical cancer incidence would be within reach. We aimed at investigating why certain women do not attend Pap smear screening and at validating the reliability of self-reported screening. METHODS: In 1998 in the county of Uppsala, Sweden, information was collected through telephone interviews with 430 nonattendees and 514 attendees to Pap smear screening, who were all sampled from a population-based database. The women's recall of attendance was validated against the database. The main outcome measures used were odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Non-attendance was positively associated with nonuse of oral contraceptives (OR = 3.56, 95% CI 2.18-5.83), seeing different gynecologists (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.34-2.70), and seeing a physician very often (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.45-6.70) or not at all (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.09-2.90). Frequent condom use (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.47), living in rural/semirural areas (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.21), and not knowing the recommended screening interval (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.20-3.89) were all associated with nonattendance, whereas socioeconomic status was not, when tested in a multivariate model. Among the nonattendees, 57% underestimated the time lapse since last smear. CONCLUSIONS: Seeing a gynecologist on a regular basis and information guiding women to have a Pap smear on their own initiative are important factors for recurrent screening. Therefore, information should be given to all women about the purpose and benefits of Pap smear testing. Self-reports on screening should be treated with caution.     

Female students receiving post-secondary education in Greece: the results of a collaborative human papillomavirus knowledge survey

ObjectivesContrary to the optimistic forecasts, existing until 2008 and despite the incorporation of the vaccine into the Greek National Immunization Program, six years later, the percentage of HPV vaccination coverage in Greece remains disappointingly low. The aim of this extended study was to investigate the knowledge, behaviour and attitude of a representative sample of the initial target group; young female students of Greek higher education institutions to Pap cervical screening, biology of HPV infection and principles of HPV vaccination.Study designCross-sectional study.MethodsOne thousand two hundred ten (1210) questionnaires were completed by young female students aged 17–24 years. The survey questionnaire sought data relating to sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviour and knowledge about HPV, as well as vaccination status.Results79.6% of the sample reported at least one annual gynaecologic examination and 92.6% were familiar with the rationale of cervical screening; however only 52.9% had undergone a Pap smear. 69.7% reported adequate knowledge about HPV and 89.3% were aware of the possible course of HPV infection. Despite most (95.9%) were aware of vaccine availability, vaccinated students represented only 33.1%. According to the multivariate analysis, vaccination status was associated with university studies (OR 1.96; 95% CI: 1.19–3.20), parental area of expertise (OR 2.77; 95% CI: 1.18–6.53, OR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05–3.94), and adequate knowledge of the reasons for which women should undergo regular cervical screening (OR 4.23; 85% CI: 1.55–11.55). Fear of side-effects and equivocal information were the main reasons of non-vaccination (52.2% and 33.1% respectively). Finally, the majority of unvaccinated individuals showed a positive attitude towards prospective HPV vaccination, providing they received well-documented advising.ConclusionsYoung women attending Greek higher education exhibit a good level of knowledge about HPV and its correlation with cervical cancer. These data highlight the need for further sensitization of the general population.     

Breast self-examination and cervical cancer testing among Norwegian female physicians. A nation-wide comparative study

Practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and cervical cancer testing (Pap smear tests) was studied in a nation-wide Norwegian representative sample of 284 female physicians aged 24-67. BSE was performed at least once a month in 30.6% of the cases, and 54.6% had a Pap smear test once every third year at least. BSE was never practised among 19.2% of the physicians, the main reasons being that they forgot it, or that they stated that they were in a low risk group or had no symptoms of disease. 16.2% had never had routine Pap smears, and these physicians claimed that they were in a low risk group or had no symptoms of disease, that they had a problem in finding a physician to attend, or that they forgot to take the test. A subgroup of 135 physicians aged 35-49 years was compared with 738 women with higher university education included from a nation-wide representative sample of the general population of Norway. A significantly higher percentage of physicians practised BSE monthly or more often compared with other university educated women. However, a significantly lower percentage of the physicians had Pap smear tests every third year or more frequently. The positive association between being a physician and practising BSE, and the negative association between being a physician and having Pap smear tests, remained after controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses.     

Cervical Cancer Risk as a Predictor of Pap Smear Use in Rural North Carolina

Risk for invasive cervical cancer is reported to be higher in rural areas than urban ones, and cervical cancer-related mortality is higher in rural women due to poorer utilization of preventive services and subsequent presentation at late stages of the disease. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between prevalence of risk factors for cervical cancer and the degree of compliance with risk-appropriate screening guidelines for cervical cancer. Secondary data were analyzed for 614 women from Robeson County, NC, aged 40 and older, and of mainly rural and low socioeconomic status. High-risk status was determined by the presence of any of the following five risk factors: a history of more than two sexual partners, age at first sexual intercourse under 18 years, history of sexually transmitted disease, history of sexually transmitted disease in sexual partner(s), and smoking. Low-risk status was the absence of all factors. A high-risk participant was considered compliant if she had had at least three Pap smears in the 3 years prior to the interview, while a low-risk participant was considered compliant if she had had at least one Pap smear within the previous 3 years. Overall, 82% of the participants were at high risk for cervical cancer. However, only 41% of all participants were compliant with the risk-appropriate screening guidelines. Low-risk status was significantly associated with compliance with cervical cancer screening guidelines (adjusted OR = 6.7; 95% CI = 3.7 to 11.1, p = .0001). Findings in this study population suggest rural women at high risk for cervical cancer are less likely to be compliant with appropriate Pap smear screening guidelines, indicating the need to target educational programs.     

Knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors among Chinese immigrants in Seattle

Chinese American immigrants are a growing part of the United States population. Cervical cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among Chinese Americans. Pap smear testing is less common in Chinese American immigrants than in the general population. During 1999, we conducted a community-based survey of Chinese American women living in Seattle. We assessed knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and history of Pap smear testing along with socioeconomic and acculturation characteristics. The overall estimated response rate was 64%, and the cooperation rate was 72%. Our study sample included 472 women. Most cervical cancer risk factors were recognized by less than half of our participants. Factors independently associated with knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors included marital status, employment, and education. Respondents with the highest knowledge had greater odds of ever receiving a Pap smear, compared to those respondents with the lowest knowledge (OR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1,5.8). Our findings suggest a need for increased recognition of cervical cancer risk factors among Chinese American immigrants. Culturally and linguistically appropriate educational interventions for cervical cancer risk factors should be developed, implemented and evaluated.     

Social networks and cancer screening in four U.S. Hispanic groups

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that social relationships play an important role in health and health behavior. We examined the relationship between social networks and cancer screening among four U.S. Hispanic groups. METHODS: We used telephone surveys to collect data in eight U.S. regions that have concentrations of diverse Hispanic-origin populations. We interviewed 8903 Hispanic adults, for a response rate of 83%; analysis was restricted to the 2383 women aged > or =40. As a measure of social integration, we formed a social network index from items on the number of close relatives and friends, frequency of contact, and church membership. We used logistic regression to estimate the effects of social integration on screening, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Among Mexican, Cuban, and Central-American women, the effect of social integration on mammography screening was slight. The odds ratios (OR) per unit change in social integration category ranged from 1.16 to 1.22 with confidence intervals (CI) that overlapped with the null. For Pap smear screening, the effect was strongest among Mexican-American women (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.21 to 1.72), but also evident among Central-American women (OR=1.22, 95% CI=0.72 to 2.06) and Cuban women (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.81 to 1.93). Among Puerto Rican women, social integration had no effect on either mammography (OR=1.03) or Pap smear screening (OR=1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of socioeconomic factors, social integration appears to influence cancer screening participation of Hispanic women. The modest effect is not universal across Hispanic groups and was stronger for Pap smear than for mammography screening behavior. Researchers should recognize Hispanic group differences in social network characteristics and the potential of social networks to change screening behavior.     

Breast and cervix cancer screening among multiethnic women: role of age, health, and source of care

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between age, health status, access to care, and breast and cervical cancer screening among multiethnic elderly and nonelderly women. METHODS: A structured telephone survey of a quota sample of 1,420 New York City women from four Hispanic groups (Columbian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian) and three black groups (U.S., Caribbean, and Haitian) was performed. Outcome measures included "ever" and "recent" self-reported use of mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and Pap smears. Logistic regression models assessed the predictors of screening use. RESULTS: Having a regular source of care significantly predicted all screening use for both elderly and nonelderly, controlling for ethnicity, sociodemographics, health status, access to care, proportion of life in the United States, and cancer attitudes. Elderly women (>/=65 years) were significantly less likely to have ever had (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0. 96) and to have recently had (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.57-0.79) Pap smears than younger women, controlling for the other variables; being elderly also tended to be an independent predictor of ever and recent mammography and CBE use. Interestingly, there was a trend for health status to act differently in predicting Pap smear use for the two age groups. For younger women, being in poor health increased the odds of Pap smear screening, while for elderly women, being in good health increased the odds of screening. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly women reported being screened less than younger women; interactions between health status and age need further exploration.     

Pap smear rates among Haitian immigrant women in eastern Massachusetts

OBJECTIVE: Given limited prior evidence of high rates of cervical cancer in Haitian immigrant women in the U.S., this study was designed to examine self-reported Pap smear screening rates for Haitian immigrant women and compare them to rates for women of other ethnicities. METHODS: Multi-ethnic women at least 40 years of age living in neighborhoods with large Haitian immigrant populations in eastern Massachusetts were surveyed in 2000-2002. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the effect of demographic and health care characteristics on Pap smear rates. RESULTS: Overall, 81% (95% confidence interval 79%, 84%) of women in the study sample reported having had a Pap smear within three years. In unadjusted analyses, Pap smear rates differed by ethnicity (p=0.003), with women identified as Haitian having a lower crude Pap smear rate (78%) than women identified as African American (87%), English-speaking Caribbean (88%), or Latina (92%). Women identified as Haitian had a higher rate than women identified as non-Hispanic white (74%). Adjustment for differences in demographic factors known to predict Pap smear acquisition (age, marital status, education level, and household income) only partially accounted for the observed difference in Pap smear rates. However, adjustment for these variables as well as those related to health care access (single site for primary care, health insurance status, and physician gender) eliminated the ethnic difference in Pap smear rates. CONCLUSIONS: The lower crude Pap smear rate for Haitian immigrants relative to other women of color was in part due to differences in (1) utilization of a single source for primary care, (2) health insurance, and (3) care provided by female physicians. Public health programs, such as the cancer prevention programs currently utilized in eastern Massachusetts, may influence these factors. Thus, the relatively high Pap rate among women in this study may reflect the success of these programs. Public health and elected officials will need to consider closely how implementing or withdrawing these programs may impact immigrant and minority communities.     

The adequacy of Papanicolaou smears as performed by family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the quality of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears performed by family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists. METHODS: Using hospital archival records of Pap smears performed from 1995 to 1997, we compared the quality of Pap smear sampling and the rate of detection of significant cytologic abnormalities by family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists. Using hierarchic logistic regression, we examined the relationship between physician specialty and Pap smear reports, controlling for patient age and socioeconomic position, multiple Pap smears performed by the same clinician, and physician attending status. RESULTS: A total of 34,916 Pap smears performed by 130 family physicians and 88 obstetrician-gynecologist residents and attending physicians were included in the analysis. There were no statistically significant differences by specialty in the rates of unsatisfactory reports (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 - 1.38), satisfactory but limited reports (AOR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.93 - 1.48), or detection rates of significant cytologic abnormalities (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.66 - 1.04). However, family physicians submitted more Pap smears with an absent endocervical component (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.07 - 2.11). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show no significant differences by specialty in Pap smear quality as measured by rates of unsatisfactory and satisfactory but limited reports, or detection of cytologic abnormalities. The finding of higher rates of absent endocervical cells, if replicated by further study, may suggest the need for improved training of family physicians in sampling the endocervix.     

Limited Pap screening associated with reduced risk of cervical cancer in South Africa

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of Pap smear screening on the incidence of invasive cancer of the cervix in the Western Cape, South Africa where screening is limited. METHODS: Data were derived from a case-control study of the association of hormonal contraceptives and invasive cervical cancer. Incident cases (n = 524) of invasive cervical cancer who presented at two tertiary hospitals and controls (n = 1540) series matched for age, race, and place of residence were interviewed. Information on a wide range of variables was collected including whether the women had previously had a Pap smear taken and the number and timing of smears. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The OR of cervical cancer was reduced among women who had ever had a smear (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.3-0.4). The OR declined with increasing number of smears to 0.2 for >/=>3 smears (trend P = 0.0003). Among women who had a smear <5 years previously the OR was 0.3, but even if the smear was taken >/=15 years previously the women remained at reduced risk (OR = 0.5). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that even limited Pap smear screening reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Should a screening programme be successfully implemented, the incidence of cervical cancer might be reduced by as much as 70%.     

Pain predicts non-adherence to pap smear screening among middle-aged African American women

BACKGROUND: Middle-aged African American women have the highest incidence and mortality of invasive cervical cancer in the United States and the lowest adherence to pap smear screening. METHODS: In 2001, we identified factors associated with non-adherence to screening recommendations using three focus group interviews and subsequently developed a questionnaire administered to 144 African American women aged 45 to 65 years. RESULTS: The perception that the Pap test was painful was associated with non-adherence to screening recommendations (OR = 4.78; 95%CI: 1.67-13.7). Difficulty to pay for the office visit coupled with perceived pain was associated with a nearly sixfold increase in risk of non-adherence (OR = 5.8; 95%CI: 2.8-15.5). Previously identified barriers to screening including lower education and socioeconomic status, poor access to care, knowledge of and exposure to known risk factors of invasive cervical cancer, cancer fatalism, and perceived racism were not independently associated with non-adherence. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, among middle-aged African American women, future interventions addressing pain during a Pap test will likely increase acceptability of and adherence to cervical cancer screening. Pain could be addressed either by providing information during the pap test and/or using smaller lubricated speculums.     

Cervical cancer screening: knowledge of Pap smear benefits and utilization in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate the predisposing factors regarding the utilization of the Pap smears in the population seen in the Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Mexico METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1997 through December 1998 in Mexico city. A questionnaire was applied to a total of 2,107 women of reproductive age who attended a family planning program and data was collected regarding the following topics: social-demographics, reproductive risk factors associated with cervical cancer, sexual behavior and partner history, birth control, knowledge about Pap smear' benefits, and its utilization. Statistic analysis was conducted using Student' s test and non-conditional multiple logistic regression model for determining significance. RESULTS: The predisposing factors were: knowledge about Pap smear's benefits (OR=6.00, CI 95% 4.70-7.67), history of using at least two birth control methods (OR=2.38, CI 95% 1.75-3.24), previous history of vaginal infection (OR=2.18, CI 95% 1.73-2.75), sexual partner's approval of gynecological examinations (OR=1.56, CI 95% 1.07-2.29). CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs on cancer prevention in this population should include the benefits of screening tests. Pap smears for Mexican women of reproductive age are mostly offered opportunely. The previous use of health services is a determinant factor for the utilization of the Cervical Cancer Screening Program. These results show the need to strengthen health promotion programs to women at high risk of cervical cancer and their sexual partners.