OBJECTIVE: To inform campaign development by assessing awareness, previous receipt, and knowledge of the purpose of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among women aged ≥ 18 years and to identify differences in awareness, receipt, and knowledge by demographic characteristics. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2008 HealthStyles survey, an annual mail survey conducted in the United States covering trends in health-related behavior. Women were asked questions on awareness, past use, and knowledge of the purpose of the Pap test and other gynecologic tests and procedures; 2991 women participated. RESULTS: Although 96.7% of the women had heard of and 93.0% reported having received a Pap test, these proportions were lower among those who were 18-34 years old and among those who had lower levels of education and income. Over 80% knew the Pap test was used to screen for cervical cancer, but 63.3% believed it also was used to screen for vaginal cancer (44.9%), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than human papillomavirus (HPV) (41.7%), ovarian cancer (40.6%), and other cancers and infections. CONCLUSIONS: General familiarity and past receipt of the Pap test were high, but misconceptions about its purpose were prevalent. It is important that women understand what a routine Pap test is and is not capable of detecting so that signs and symptoms of gynecologic conditions other than cervical cancer may be recognized and addressed appropriately.
OBJECTIVE: To inform campaign development by assessing awareness, previous receipt, and knowledge of the purpose of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among women aged ≥ 18 years and to identify differences in awareness, receipt, and knowledge by demographic characteristics. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2008 HealthStyles survey, an annual mail survey conducted in the United States covering trends in health-related behavior. Women were asked questions on awareness, past use, and knowledge of the purpose of the Pap test and other gynecologic tests and procedures; 2991 women participated. RESULTS: Although 96.7% of the women had heard of and 93.0% reported having received a Pap test, these proportions were lower among those who were 18-34 years old and among those who had lower levels of education and income. Over 80% knew the Pap test was used to screen for cervical cancer, but 63.3% believed it also was used to screen for vaginal cancer (44.9%), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than human papillomavirus (HPV) (41.7%), ovarian cancer (40.6%), and other cancers and infections. CONCLUSIONS: General familiarity and past receipt of the Pap test were high, but misconceptions about its purpose were prevalent. It is important that women understand what a routine Pap test is and is not capable of detecting so that signs and symptoms of gynecologic conditions other than cervical cancer may be recognized and addressed appropriately.
Authors: Nikki A Hawkins; Vicki B Benard; April Greek; Katherine B Roland; Diane Manninen; Mona Saraiya Journal: Prev Med Date: 2013-09-05 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Ghadeer K Al-Shaikh; Eman M Almussaed; Amel A Fayed; Farida H Khan; Sadiqa B Syed; Tahani N Al-Tamimi; Hala N Elmorshedy Journal: Saudi Med J Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 1.484