Table 2 Knowledge and beliefs of the women about cervical cancer risk and prevention (N = 300)
Knowledge/belief item | Yes No. (%) | No No. (%) | Don’t know No. (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Have you ever heard about the Pap smear? | 194 (64.7) | 106 (35.3) | – |
2. Family history of cervical caner | 20 (6.7) | 280 (85.3) | – |
3. Women should have Pap Smears at least every 3 years | 133 (44.3) | 19 (6.3) | 148 (49.3) |
4. Pap smear is the most helpful way to detect pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix | 192 (64.0) | 2 (2.0) | 102 (34.0) |
5. Pap smear is not able to detect precancerous cells before manifestations of its symptoms | 49 (16.3) | 70 (23.3) | 181 (60.3) |
6. The purpose of the Pap smear is to detect abnormal cells in the cervix | 203 (67.7) | 4 (1.3) | 93 (31.0) |
7. Pap smear is not successful in reducing incidence and mortality of cervical cancer | 30 (10.0) | 107 (35.7) | 163 (54.3) |
8. Pap smear is able to detect all types of female genital cancer | 119 (39.7) | 31 (10.3) | 150 (50.0) |
9. Pap smear is a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive method | 117 (59.0) | 9 (3.0) | 114 (38.0) |
10. Women should have Pap smear since the onset of sexual activity | 101 (33.7) | 38 (12.7) | 161 (53.7) |
11. In Pap smear, cervical cells are examined | 154 (51.3) | 10 (3.3) | 136 (45.3) |
12. Pap smears can be performed at both menstrual and non- menstrual period | 35 (11.6) | 105 (34.7) | 163 (53.8) |
13. A woman should not have sex 24 h before having Pap smear | 103 (34.3) | 21 (7.0) | 176 (58.7) |
14. Pap smear should be discontinued after menopause | 26 (8.7) | 121 (40.3) | 153 (51.0) |
15. If someone is having a normal Pap smear, she does not need Pap smears in the future | 39 (13.0) | 124 (41.3) | 137 (45.7) |
16. There is no need to have a Pap smear if it is not administered by a doctor | 17 (5.7) | 213 (71.0) | 70 (23.3) |
17. Have you heard about HPV vaccine? | 11 (3.7) | 190 (63.3) | 99 (33.0) |