Volume 27, Issue 137, July 2023

Cervical cancer screening; awareness, acceptance and barriers to access among sexually active women of Hail region of Saudi Arabia

Jumana Abdullah Al Huwaymil¹, Noura Ali Alhoty², Nuzhat Parveen³

¹Medical Student, College of Medicine/ University of Hail, KSA
²Medical Student, College of Medicine/ University of Hail, KSA
³Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine/University of Hail, KSA
ORCID: 0000-0002-7200-724X

ABSTRACT

Early diagnosis and management of cervical carcinoma can prevent the morbidity associated with cervical carcinoma and deaths. The study aimed to assess cervical cancer screening awareness, its acceptance and barriers to access among sexually active women of the Hail region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional, community-based survey-study was performed on 18-70 years old women from January to March 2023. Results: The mean awareness scores were significantly higher among Non-Saudi than Saudi participants (P = 0.009) with access to social media and higher educational level (secondary school and above (P = 0.014) were significantly more aware of cervical cancer screening. While the area of residence, age, number of children, occupation and family history were not significant factors (P > 0.05). Mean acceptance scores were significantly higher among participants who had access to social media and family history (P=0.040) and (P=0.027) respectively. Similarly, nulliparous women (M=19.8, SD=26.8) and grand multipara were significantly lower than participants with 1-2 and 3-5 children. The participants’ area of residence, nationality, education and occupation were not significantly associated with variations in the mean scores of cervical cancer screening acceptance (P > 0.05). Differences between the mean scores of barriers to accessing cervical cancer screening with respect to any demographic characteristics were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Health education about HPV-related infections, cervical cancer screening, vaccination and providing information through health professionals and media can help to reduce the new emerging cases.

Keywords: Cancer prevention, cervical cancer screening, Hail, Saudi Arabia, Pap smear

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e283ms3080

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i137/e283ms3080

Published: 06 July 2023