Knowledge, perception, and sources of information towards cervical cancer and utilization of papanicolaou (pap) smear as screening among female in medina, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and objectives: Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth commonest cancer among women in the world. Screening using a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear can detect early cervical changes and allows early treatment with a high rate of success. Awareness of the importance of screening is a significant factor in encouraging women to have Pap smear testing. This study aimed to investigate perceptions, knowledge, and sources of information regarding CC and the utilization of Pap smeared used for screening in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: An e-questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 to July 2022. The targeted population were all non-medical staff females in childbearing age in Medina, Saudi Arabia. A total of 444 women were included in the study. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods via Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 26. Result: Overall, the participants had high levels of awareness of CC (79.3%) and Pap smear (48.9%). However, only (23.6%) have heard of the human papillomavirus and (14.6%) have had a Pap smear. And (22.5%) only recognized that any woman over 21 years old should be screened for CC. Social media was the most frequently mentioned source of information (45.5%). Socio-demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with knowledge of CC or its screening. When women who had never had a Pap smear before were asked about the cause, half of them (47.2%) answered that they did not think about it, (32.2%) because they did not have symptoms, and (20.1%) reported a lack of awareness. Conclusion: Despite the high level of awareness regarding CC and Pap smear testing among women in Medina, only small percentage undergo Pap smear testing. Lack of awareness and poor knowledge of the disease symptoms were the main barriers. This emphasizes the need to conduct community-based programs to raise awareness regarding the role of Pap smear in CC early detection.