• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5867-5870
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• 2013

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Malaysian women with an ASR of 17.9 and a mortality rate of 5.6 per 100,000 population in 2008 (GLOBOCAN, 2008). The 5 year prevalence was estimated to be 14.5 per 100,000 population. As the second most common cancer affecting productive females, cervical cancer imposes an impact to the socioeconomic aspect of the country. However, the poor uptake of cervical cancer screening is a major problem in detecting early pre-cancerous lesions and thus, delay in initiating treatment for cervical cancer. Realizing the urgency to increase the uptake of PAP smear, besides enhancing the promotion of PAP smear screening for women above 35 years old, the call-recall system for pap smear screening had been piloted in one of the suburban districts which aimed to improve regular participation of women for cervical and breast cancer screening. This is of public health importance as identifying the best feasible option to increase patient's respond to participate in the screening program effectively in our setting will be helpful in implementing an organized regular population based screening program tailored to our setting. The pilot program of cervical cancer screening in Klang was an opportunity to assess different options in recalling patients for a repeat pap smear to increase their participation and adherence to the program. Methods and Results: This was a population based randomized control trial. Women aged 20-65 years in the population that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria were re-called for a repeat smear. There are four different intervention groups; letter, registered letters, short messages services (SMS) and phone calls where 250 subjects were recruited into each group. Samples were generated randomly from the same population in Klang into four different groups. The first group received a recall letter for a repeat smear similar to the one that has been given during the first invitation. The intervention groups were either be given a registered letter, an SMS or a phone call to re-call them. The socio-demographic data of the patients who came for uptake were collected for further analysis. All the groups were followed up after 8 weeks to assess their compliance to the recall. Conclusions: The study will provide recommendations about the most effective methods for recall in a population based pap smear screening program on two outcomes: i) patients response; ii) uptake for repeat pap smear.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.4825-4830
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• 2016

Background: In developed countries, awareness of cervical cancer screening is well documented. In contrast, in Oman as a developing country, public responses regarding cervical screening are unclear. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness about cervical cancer and Papanicolau (Pap) smear testing and to establish any correlations between knowledge and demographic factors among Omani women. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, participants were divided into three groups: patients who attended the Outpatient Gynecology Department in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Oman, female staff from SQUH, College of Medicine and College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and graduating female students at SQU. Data collection was through interview-based and online self-administered questionnaires. Cumulative scoring was used for data analysis. Results: There were 204 outpatients, 133 staff and 157 students. Outpatients (79.4%), staff (97.7%) and students (75.2%) had heard of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, their specific knowledge, regarding signs and symptoms, risk factors and Pap smear, was low at 38.7%, 35.3% and 7.6% among outpatients, staff and students, respectively. Some 39.9% of the married outpatients had adequate overall knowledge as compared to none of the single women. Educational level was found to be significantly associated with outpatient knowledge with the highest awareness levels among postgraduates and medical university graduates (61.5%). Conclusion: Specific knowledge of cervical cancer, its risk factors and cervical Pap smear is generally poor among Omani women. This lack of knowledge may be one of the contributing factors for the high incidence of cervical cancer in Oman relative to that in developed countries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권13호
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• pp.5415-5420
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• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer (CC) and the Pap test among female dental students of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to human papilloma virus (HPV) (8 items), cervical cancer (4 items) and the Pap smear (6 items) was employed. Responses were coded as "True, False and Don't Know". Mean and standard deviation (SD) for correct answers and levels of knowledge were determined. Results: Based on the year of study, significant differences in knowledge of HPV werenoted for questions on symptoms (p=0.01); transmission from asymptomatic partners (p=0.002); treatment with antibiotics (p=0.002); start of sexual activity (p=0.004); and recommended age for HPV vaccination (p=0.01). For knowledge regarding CC, significance was observed for the age group being affected (p=0.008) and symptoms of the disease in early stages (p=0.001). Indications for Pap smear tests like symptoms' of vaginal discharge (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.01) and women with children (p=0.02) had significant difference based on the year of study. Based on religion, transmission of HPV via pregnancy, HPV related diseases except CC and preventive measures except condom use and oral contraceptives showed significant differences. However, significant variation with religion was observed only for two preventive measures of CC (Pap test; p=0.004) and HPV vaccination (p=0.003). Likewise, only the frequency of Pap test showed a significant difference for religion (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the lack of awareness with regard to HPV, CC and screening with pap smear even among health professionals. Hence, regular health campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.4901-4903
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• 2012

To assess the awareness of cervical cancer among couples, data were collected from two urban slums community in Mumbai. A total of 1958 married women aged from 18 to 49 and their husbands were selected using simple random sampling. Women (37.7%) were significantly more aware of cervical cancer than husbands (8.7%). A slight agreement (kappa statistics=0.16) was observed between husbands and wives on awareness of cervical cancer. Significantly higher percentages of wives were aware of pap smear test than husbands. Overall, awareness of cervical cancer and pap smear test among couples is low. There is need to educate and motivate both of them to participate in cervical cancer screening program.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2871-2876
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• 2016

The Pap smear test is recommended for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and behavior regarding the Pap smear test based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in women referred to premarital counseling classes, Hamadan, Iran. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 330 women, who were allocated randomly to two case and control groups (n=165). Two educational session classes were performed in the case group. Two stages in before and after intervention groups were evaluated. Analysis of data was performed by SPSS/16.0, using t-test, $x^2$, and McNemar's test. P-values <0.05 were regarded as significant. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the various structures of this model in two groups before the intervention. However, after the intervention there were significant increase in mean score of knowledge and all variables of HBM in the intervention group(P<0.001). The findings of this study highlight the important role of education about cervical cancer on changing women's beliefs about cervical screening.

• 한국건강관리협회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.75-84
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• 2006

Background : Osteoporosis and atrophic cell pattern in Pap smear are frequent findings In postmenopausal women due to loss of ovarian function, The present study attempted to find out possible correlation between morphologic characteristics of Pap smear and osteoporosis. Material & methods: The subjects were 825 women(age from 35 to 80) who had undergone Pap smear and bone mineral density(BMD) at The Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul Branch, from March 8 to May 10, 2005. Pap smears from 825 women were reviewed and classified either mature cell pattern or atrophic cell pattern by their cytologic patterns, BMD were measured using LUNAR DPX MdIQ(Minster, Ohio, USA). BMD value of lumbar spine(Ll, L2,L3 and L4) were measured from 825 women and BMD value of proximal region off emur(neck NK, Wards triangle WT, and trochanter TR) were measured from 818 women and their bone status were classified as normal( T-sore:>-1.0), osteopenia (T-score: -l~<-2,5) and osteoporosis(T-score: ≤ -2.5). And age distribution of Pap smear, average T-value andfrequency ofsteoporo-sis of each region of the bone, percentage of osteoporosis of each boneregion by age group and changing pattern of percentage of osteopenia and osteoporosis in certain postmenopausal period were compared between mature and atrophic cell pattern. Results: Pap smears revealed total mature cell pattern 53,9%(445/825) and total atrophic cell pattern 46.1%(380/825), Percentage of mature cell pattern decreased from 98.2%(168/171)under 44 age group to 13,3%(17/128) over 65 age group and mature cell pattern increased from 1.8%(3/171) under 44 age group to 86.7%(111/128) oyer 65 age group. Mean T-value of each region of lumbar spine and femur of mature cell pattern were lower than that of atrophic cell pattern about -1,5. And osteoporosis has noted in atrophic cell pattern showing odds ratio Ll 13.9, L2 15.3, L3 12.0, L4 10,4, UK 6.7, WT 10.9 and TR 4.1.Atrophic cell pattern started to increase after 45 years of age and osteoporosis of a trophic cell pattern started after 55 years of age. During 50 to 64 years of age period, L3, L4 and WT revealed parallel increased of osteopenia and osteoporosis and Ll, L2 revealed decreased of osteopenia and increased of osteoporosis. nia Conclusion: Above findings suggest that atrophic cell pattern of Pap smear precedes osteoporosis about 10 years and one of predictor of osteoporosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.905-910
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• 2014

Aims: To determine the status of women's perception and attitudes about cervical cancer and their thoughts on Kato's self-sampling device. Materials and Methods: This descriptive research was conducted between July-December 2012 with a study populationof married women older than 18 years. Results: A total of 246 women volunteered, with a mean age of $34.9{\pm}9.22$ (19-52). In the last year, 52.0% had been examined by a gynecologist to address a complaint or for a periodic health check. Of the 118 who had not had a gynecological examination, 42.4% indicated negligence, 26.3% stated the reason was no complaint, 14.4% feared they might receive bad results from the examination, and 8.5% stated that were shy or embarrassed. Of all of the women, 35.0% answered that they had information about cervical cancer, and 0.7% had heard about the HPV vaccine. No one in their families had received the vaccine. Of the women, 28.5% had had a Pap smear, and 71.4% of those had normal results. Of those who had never had a Pap smear, 47.2% had never heard about the test; 18.8% explained the reason for not having a test as shyness or embarrassment with a male doctor. None of the women had heard about Kato's device. Once the women were informed, 73.6% expresseed interest in use; 51.9% answered they could use it and not be embarrassed, 30.9% would use it because they did not have to see a doctor, and 17.1% would use it as it allows them to take a smear in all conditions and whenever they want. Of the women, 60.0% thought that they could not successfully use Kato's device; 40.0% thought that a smear should be taken by a doctor. Conclusions: Most of the women in our population had never had a Pap smear and wanted to use the Kato's device.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.1227-1232
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• 2014

Background: Given that there are many Iranian women who have never had a Pap smear, this study was designed to develop and validate a measurement tool based on the Protection Motivation Theory to assess factors influencing the Iranian women's intention to perform first Pap testing. Materials and Methods: In this psychometric research, to determine the Content Validity Index (CVI) and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), a panel of experts (n=10) reviewed scale items. Reliability was estimated through the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (n=30) and internal consistency (n=240). Also, factor analysis (exploratory and conformity) was performed on the data of the sample women who had never had a Pap smear test (n=240). Results: A 26-item questionnaire was developed. The CVI and CVR scores of the scale were 0.89 and 0.90, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis loaded a 26-item with seven factors questionnaire (perceived vulnerability and severity, fear, response costs, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and protection motivation (or intention)) that jointly accounted for 72.76% of the observed variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the data. Internal consistency (range 0.70-0.93) and test-retest reliability (range 0.72-0.96) of sub-scales were acceptable. Conclusions: This study showed that the designed instrument was a valid and reliable tool for measuring the factors influencing the women's intention to perform their first Pap testing.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.305-310
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• 2014

본 연구는 20세 이상 여성들의 Pap 도말검사를 통한 자궁암 검진 수용도에 영향을 미치는 요인들을 규명하기 위해 시도하였다. 이를 위해 2013년 4월 22일부터 5월 24일까지 건강검진센터에 내원한 검진자들 192명을 대상으로 설문 및 면접조사를 실시하였다. 연구결과 첫째, 종교가 없는 집단에서 비검진 수용군이 45.8%로 검진 수용군의 32.3%보다 유의하게 높은 분포를 보였다($X^2=4.82$, p<.05). 둘째, 모유수유를 하는 집단의 비검진 수용군이 61.5%로 검진 수용군의 46.9%보다 유의하게 높은 분포를 하였다($X^2=0.61$, p<.05). 셋째, 타검진력은 검진을 하는 군이 검진을 하지 않는 수용군보다 4.62배 유의하게 높은 것으로 나타났다(95% Cl=1.15-9.84, P=0.006). 본 연구결과를 토대로 자궁암 Pap 도말검사 수용도에 일반인들의 부정적인 태도를 변화시킬 수 있는 더 많은 자궁암 검진 정보를 제공하는 것이 필요하다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6497-6500
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• 2012

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in females in the World with around 500,000 new cases occurring annually, but the first in the developing countries with a high mortality if not diagnosed early. Papanicolau (Pap) smear is a cheap, easy-to-apply and widely accepted test which has been long used to detect cervical cancer at very early stages. However, despite being available for nearly 60 years, the test can hardly be considered to have become successfully applied in many communities. We aimed in this study to present the results of a screening survey for cervical cancer which targeted a women population aged between 35 and 40 living in a semi-rural area in the province of Hatay, located in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, with specific aims of increasing early diagnosis, education and raising population awareness about cancers. This community-based descriptive study covered 512 women between 35 and 40 years of age living at Armutlu with a mean age of $37.6{\pm}1.7$. Gynecologic examinations revealed cervical erosion in 8 (1.6%), vaginitis in 193 (37.7%) and normal findings in 311 (60.7%); pathological evaluation reports of the smears were negative in 290 (56.6%), inflammation in 218 (42.6%) and ASC-US in 4 (0.8%), according to the 2001 Bethesda classification. It can be concluded that Pap smear test - proven to be a very valuable test at the clinical level- should also be widely used at the community level to detect cervical cancer at very early stages to reduce both the mortality and morbidity among healthy people. The need for continuous community-based cervical cancer screening programs is strongly suggested.