Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pap Smear Screening among Women in Gombak District, Selangor
- Author:
Ng Pei Ting
1
;
Nurul Azira Ismail
1
;
Noor Izzah Abd Rahman
2
;
Yasohdha Anne Sundraraj
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Pap smear, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(Supp 1,January):82-87
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Malaysia with an estimation of 1,682 new cases and 944 deaths as reported in the year 2018, and these statistics are expected to increase by the year 2025. Early detection of cervical cancer through Pap smear screening may prevent an increase in incidence. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards Pap smear screening in the urban community. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Pap smear screening and association with KAP among 246 randomly selected women. Primary data was collected by using a self-administered online questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Prevalence of Pap smear screening was recorded at 46.6%. Mean score for knowledge was 0.858±0.247, the attitude was 0.847±0.156 and practice was 0.423±0.426. There is a significant difference in KAP towards Pap smear screening (p<0.001) whereby practice was lower compared to knowledge and attitude. Although women have good knowledge and attitude towards the topic of Pap smear screening, it does not associate in promoting good practice (V=0.732). Conclusion: KAP analysis revealed that practice is highly correlated with prevalence. Socio-culture factors and fatalistic attitude may play a role in the low results of practice. Conducting more Pap smear awareness campaign with relation to socio-culture may help improve the practice of Pap smear.
- Full text:11.2020my0632.pdf
