The Study of Relationship Between Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer and Knowledge and Attitude of Health Workers Toward Pap Smear in Isfahan and Its Comparison with Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in the female reproductive system. Awareness of cervical cancer diagnosis, risk factors and screening can lead to rapid treatment and their well-being. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1900 female health workers in Isfahan province and 230 similar women in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data about knowledge and attitude. Numerical outcomes were analyzed using ANOVA and linear regression methods and categorical outcomes were applied to the chisquared test. Data were analyzed at 5% significant level using SPSS 23. Results: The result of linear regression showed that there was a significant difference in the mean score of knowledge about Pap smear in both provinces (P = 0.001). There was a significant relationship between the mean scores of knowledge about Pap smear in Isfahan province and marriage at an early age (P = 0.001), smoking (P = 0.005) and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province with cervical ulcer (P = 0.03). In addition, there was a significant difference in the mean score of attitude toward Pap smear between both provinces (P = 0.001) and there was a significant relationship between the mean scores attitude toward Pap smear in Isfahan province and marriage at an early age (P = 0.001), cervical ulcer (P = 0.002), and smoking (P = 0.001) and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province with genital infection (P = 0.012) increase the number of pregnancies (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Considering the importance of knowledge and attitude of female health worker in both provinces, it is necessary to carry out educational programs especially in the provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Exploring the barriers to Pap smear test compliance: A qualitative study for improving cervical cancer screening in the primary health care

“… 17 Mohammadi et al reported that the most important reasons for not performing the PS in health workers in Isfahan were lack of problems in the reproductive system, reluctance to take the test, lack of self-care, and awareness. 3 These results have also been mentioned in other studies too. 18 , 19…”

“…As per the GLOBOCAN 2020 report, it is the fourth most frequent cancer in women on a global scale, 1 yet is predicted to rise to the first rank by 2030. 2 Half of all women who die from cancer worldwide have cervical cancer, 3 and most of them (80%-85%) live in low- and middle-income countries. 3 Developing regions will face almost two-third of the cervical cancer cases predicted for 2050.…”

“…2 Half of all women who die from cancer worldwide have cervical cancer, 3 and most of them (80%-85%) live in low- and middle-income countries. 3 Developing regions will face almost two-third of the cervical cancer cases predicted for 2050. 4 …”

The performance of midwives in early detection of cervical cancer using visual inspection test with acetic acid

“…Health service providers in this context include doctors and midwives. 18 In addition, obstacles in cervical cancer management programs include the negative attitudes of service providers due to lack of competence in carrying out screening for cervical cancer, leading to dependencies in providing services. 19 The results of the study show that knowledge is one of the factors that can affect the performance of a midwife in conducting early detection of cervical cancer using the IVA method.…”

The effect of education given to women with hearing impairments on the behaviours of Pap smear screening

“…As it is known, the most important risk factors of CC are human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking, weak immune system, low socio‐economic level, malnutrition, early and long‐term oral contraceptive use, early sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, multiple sexual partners and high number of pregnancies (American Cancer Society, 2020; Cohen et al, 2019; Kashyap et al, 2019; Kaur et al, 2019; Mohammadi et al, 2019; Selçuk & Yanikkerem, 2020).…”