Author/Authors :
Al-Meer, F.M. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Family Medicine, Qatar , Aseel, M.T. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Family Medicine, Qatar , Al-Khalaf, J. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Family Medicine, Qatar , Al-Kuwari, M.G. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Public Health Medicine Health Promotion, Primary Health Care, Qatar , Ismail, M.F.S. Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
Abstract :
There are no data on the knowledge, attitude and practices of Qatari women about this cancer. Therefore this cross-sectional interview-based study was conducted in 2008 among 500 women at 5 randomly selected primary health care centres in Qatar to determine their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer and screening. Just over 85% had heard of cervical cancer and 76% had heard about the Pap smear. Knowledge of cervical cancer was significantly greater among women aged 30–49 years, and those employed, married for 15 years, with a university degree, or who had had 4 births or 3 miscarriages. Almost 40% had had a Pap smear test at least once and 85.5% of the rest would have a test if they were told that the procedure was painless and simple. Over half wanted the test to be done in the well-woman clinic at the primary health care centre. Knowledge and practice was inadequate among those under 30 years old, those recently married and those with a lower education level.
