Pap smear test: Knowledge, Attitude and practice among the female nursing and paramedical staffs of Maternity and Child Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

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Background: A Pap smear test is a microscopic examination of uterine cervix which can detect the precancerous changes in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) and presence of precancerous changes in the cervical cells confirms the diagnosis. So early detection of HPV (causative factor) and precancerous changes in the cervix (cervical dysplasia) can help in early treatment of cervical cancer and complete cure. Being asymptomatic at presentation it is important to screen all the women at risk of getting cervical cancer for early diagnosis and its secondary prevention. Knowledge is one of the important determinants predicting health behaviors and an effective factor in performing screening methods in the population. However, acquiring knowledge only is not adequate and success of a prevention programme depends on the positive preventive attitude and correct practice of the population. The present study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the healthcare workers at MCH hospital, Al Ahsa Saudi Arabia towards the Pap smear screening test. Results: A total of 217 out of 258 staffs responded the online questionnaires making the response rate of 85%. The mean age of the participants was 32. 83 ± 7. 20 Std. Dev. (Range 21-61 years). Majority of the participants (N= 180, 82. 9%) were married. Seventy percent of the participants (N=152) were staff nurse. Sixty four percent of the participants were graduate (N=139). The mean knowledge of the participants was 6. 31 ± 3. 24 Std. Dev. (Range: 2 -10). More than fifty percent of the participant (N=109) did not have good knowledge about Pap smear test. The mean of positive attitude score was 3. 56 ±1. 19 Std. Dev. (Range: 00-5). Fifty eight percent of the participant (N=128) had positive attitude towards Pap smear test. The mean of practice score was 2. 21 ±1. 00 Std. Dev. (Range: 00 – 4). Sixty eight percent of the participants (N=191) did not have good practice towards Pap smear test. The attitude of staff nurses was significantly positive (p=0. 024) than those of other medical staffs. The practice of the nursing staffs towards the Pap smear test was significantly negative (P=0. 000) than those of other medical staff. There were no significant difference in the knowledge, attitude and practice score between different age groups and marital status of the participants. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge and attitude among the paramedical and nursing staffs of Maternity and Child Hospital towards Pap smear screening test. However good knowledge and attitude did not translate into good practice in most of them especially among the nursing staffs. The rate of uptake for Pap smear test was low. The major reason for low uptake of Pap smear screening among the respondents include, no recommendation by any doctors, embarrassment, lack of knowledge about the Pap smear, lack of time and fear of the test result.