Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices of Women in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia Regarding Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test

Background: The main barrier for women to receive Papanicolaou (Pap) smear tests and immunization is lack ofknowledge about the disease’s signs and symptoms, women’s attitudes toward prevention programs and cultural mythsand beliefs. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to measure women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices aboutcervical cancer and the Pap smear test in the southern region of Saudi Arabia and to assess the findings in relation withwomen’s demographics. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted at the Armed Forces Hospital SouthernRegion Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic using a self-administered questionnaire with a sample size of 255 womenbetween the ages of 15 and 65 years. Results: Forty-three percent of the women in this region are aware of cervicalcancer, but do not recognize its risk factors, implications, timing or main cause, which is Human papillomavirus (HPV).In fact, the primary source of information was obtained through social media. Only two women conducted Pap smeartest and that was based on doctor’s referral, where women’s main reason from not conducting the test was feeling goodand no need. Conclusions: There is a need, therefore, to create awareness programs for cervical cancer, its causes andrisk factors, as well as its preventive measures for women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia.