AWARENESS REGARDING PAP SMEAR AMONG WOMEN IN BAGHDAD CITY, IRAQ

Abstract

The aim: The aim of this study was to determine the awareness level regarding pap smear in women living in Baghdad city, Iraq. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 265 women living in Baghdad city using internet-based survey. Questionnaire was adopted from a previous study to measure the awareness level among women. Results: the results showed that only 8(3%) of the respondent had a family history of cervical cancer. Almost (94%) have heard about cervical cancer, while only (38%) knew that HPV virus is the cause of cervical cancer. Majority of the respondents (87%) heard about pap smear while only 67 (25.0 %) had performed pap smear before. A total of 86% agreed that early diagnosis is important in treating of the cervical cancer. Conclusions: Majority of women heard of cervical cancer and pap smear, but the level of its practice is still low with only 25% of respondents had performed it before. More health promotion is needed especially, at the primary care level regarding the importance of performing regular pap smear especially for women with family history of the cervical cancer.