Cervical Cancer Awareness and Practice of Pap Smear Test Among Women with Gynecological problems.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in Nepal. Pap smear test is the most important screening test for cervical cancer, which helps in reducing mortality from it. This study is to assess the knowledge of cancer cervix and practice of Pap smear test and to analyze the impact of educational status on them.
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out among the married women who attended the Out Patient Department for gynecological problems at Kathmandu Medical College. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. The questionnaire consisted of three sections , first section included the demographic profile, second part included assessment of the knowledge of cancer cervix, and third part included evaluation of the utilization of Pap smear test.
RESULTS: A total of 205 married women were included in the study. Out of them,152 (74%) were aware of cancer cervix. Only 80 (39%) of women were aware of Pap smear test. Pap smear test coverage was 34 (16.6%) in studied population. Main reason of not doing Pap smear test was lack of knowledge of the test. High educational status of the women had significant positive impact on knowledge of cancer cervix and practice of Pap smear test.
CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of cancer cervix was good in our women, but knowledge and the practice of Pap smear test was poor. Good educational status of the women was found to influence the on knowledge of cancer cervix and uptake of Pap smear test.