The perception of cervical cancer screening and prevention among Saudi women.

Authors

Atlal M. Abusanad

Atlal M. Abusanad

Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Atlal M. Abusanad , Lama Alharbi , Seham Alsalamah , Manal Almasary , Amnah Alharthi , Marwan R. Al-hajeili

Organizations

Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth cause of malignancy-related deaths among women globally. In Saudi Arabia, it is the 8th most prevalent cancer and the 7th cause of cancer mortality among women between the ages of 15–44. There is a limited national data on the awareness of CC, human papilloma virus (HPV), and knowledge of screening and prevention. We present the largest national study to date investigating knowledge of Saudi women toward CC, the HPV vaccine, Pap smear, and influencing factors of their application. Methods: A structured questionnaire of 22 questions included demographic data, CC awareness and associated risk factors, evaluation of Pap-smear and HPV vaccine knowledge and their application was constructed and validated. Participants were exclusively female. It was distributed across the country and scored according to a pre-defined scoring system. Influencing factors of CC, Pap-smear and HPV vaccine knowledge and awareness were examined. A regression model to predict the possibility of performing Pap-smear was generated. P-value of 0.05 and less indicated statistical significance in all tests. Results: 2539 female participants completed the questionnaire with (41%) aged 18 - 25 years old. A sizable portion were from the central region (30.4%) and a majority had a university degree (73.1%). 65% of the participants were sexually active. Two thirds of the participants have heard about Pap-smear and its role in detecting CC but only 20% took the test. Although one third knew that the HPV vaccine can prevent CC, only 2% received the vaccination. Poor knowledge on locating the Pap-smear and HPV vaccine were reported among participants. 12% reported that health campaigns were their source of information. Factors associated with adequate knowledge are listed in table. Age predicted the possibility of performing Pap-smear with participants of 18 - 25 years old are more likely to take the test (P=0.00). Conclusions: This large study evaluated the knowledge and awareness of CC, Pap-smear, and the HPV vaccine across the country. It demonstrated the need for better advocacy and for a nation-wide campaigning to further utilize early detection and preventive procedures.

Factors influenced the participants awareness level (n=2539)
Characteristics Knowledge & Awareness levelp-value
InadequateAdequate
Age (in years)
18-25103380.067
26-302414
31 and above12485
Region
Central region76940.419
Eastern region4926
Northern region2111
Southern region3043
Western region7463
Educational level
Not educated300.851
Elementary school150
Intermediate school370
High school degree4752
University degree184115
Master’s degree1040
PhD degree470
Marital status
Single112781
Married12549
Widowed390
Divorced1020
Occupation
Housewife59530.01*
Freelancer2461
Student at medical field 47610
Student at non-medical field 3680
Worker at medical field 1750
Worker at non-medical field 6623

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Gynecologic Cancer

Track

Gynecologic Cancer

Sub Track

Cervical Cancer

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr e17519)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e17519

Abstract #

e17519

Abstract Disclosures

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