Abstract
The aim of this study is to provide a profile of cervical cancer screening practices among the women in Patras and to assess factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. Data from a representative sample of 873 women were analyzed. 67.2% had at least one Pap test in their life, with 54.4% having been tested in the previous three years. Women aged 35-44 and 45-54 years were more likely to have had a recent Pap test (OR>3) as well as married/partnered women (OR=2.4). Unemployed women and women with the lowest educational level were less likely to have had a recent Pap test. Compared to women with a monthly household income of <500€, those with higher income were more likely to have had a Pap test. The prevalence of Pap testing in Patras is very low. Our findings support the necessity of implementation of national screening programs or targeted screening interventions mainly in the identified under-screened population subgroups, i.e. women with socioeconomic disadvantages.
Highlights
The Health profile of the city of Patras was conducted in 2006 with the aim of collecting information about the current socioeconomic and demographical situation of its citizens, their living conditions and health status as well as health related behaviors including cervical cancer screening
Screening rates in the EU differ between Member States (MS) with the highest screening achieved in the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden where rates reach as high as 80% while the lowest ones are observed in Hungary and the Slovak Republic
The systematic examination of factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women in the city of Patras has led to a deeper understanding of the characteristics of under screened women in Patras
Summary
The Health profile of the city of Patras was conducted in 2006 with the aim of collecting information about the current socioeconomic and demographical situation of its citizens, their living conditions and health status as well as health related behaviors including cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. It accounts for almost 9% of the total number of new cancer cases diagnosed and 8% of the total number of cancer deaths among females [1]. More than 85% of deaths due to cervical cancer occur in developing countries. The burden of cervical cancer varies among these countries the most profound difference is observed between the old and the new MS which to a large extent have yet to implement population based organized screening programs for cervical cancer [3,4]
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