Factors important in promoting cervical cancer screening among Canadian women: findings from the 1996-97 National Population Health Survey (NPHS).

Although routine Pap screening represents an effective tool in the early detection of cervical cancer, it remains underused by some Canadian women. This study examines selected sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and system barriers to Pap test participation among 33,817 women aged 18+ years in the cross-sectional 1996-97 National Population Health Survey (NPHS). Among women 18 years and over, 87% reported ever having had a Pap test while 72% reported a recent (< 3 years) test. A report of ever and recent use was most common among women 25-34 (92% and 86.9%, respectively). Only 0.6% of recently screened women reported access problems. Among those without a recent test, most (53%) reported that they did not think it was necessary. Pap test use varied little across provinces and was less common among older and single women, those with lower education, a spoken language other than English, a birth place outside Canada and negative health and lifestyle characteristics.