Prevalence and Predictors of Pap-Smear Screening for Cervical Cancer among Married Women in Urban of Mandalay, Myanmar

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Pap-smear screening, to assess the knowledge regarding cervical cancer and Pap-smear test and to identify the predictors of practice of Pap-smear screening among married women in urban of Mandalay, Myanmar.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was done in urban townships in Mandalay, Myanmar from February–March, 2012.

Methodology: 230 married women were selected using multistage sampling. Interviews were conducted using structured questionnaire by five research assistants. Questionnaire consisted socio-demographic characteristics, past Pap-smear practice, knowledge and perception towards cervical cancer. Practice of Pap-smear screening was defined as ever had a test in life time.

Results: Of 230 married women, only 38 (16.5%) had reported history of Pap-smear test in their life time of whom 71.1% had the test within last 1 year and 5.2% had within last 3 years. Logistic regression analysis shows that the likelihood to perform Pap-smear screening test was higher in woman age between 36-45 years (adjusted OR = 34.79; 95% CI = 7.1 – 170.2) and woman more than 45 year of age (adjusted OR = 10.1; 95% CI = 1.9 – 51.8). Woman who got married at 20-25 year-old (adjusted OR = 16.4; 95% CI = 1.9 – 142.6) and more than 25 year-old (adjusted OR = 9.5; 95%CI = 1.2 – 75.2) are more likely to have screening compared to woman got married at age of under 20 years. Women having good perception (adjusted OR = 14.5; 95% CI = 3.9 – 53.9) and whose husband were aware about cervical cancer and Pap-smear screening test (adjusted OR = 46.1; 95%CI = 9.7 – 219.6) were significant predictors of having Pap-smear test.

Conclusion: Poor knowledge for cervical cancer and lack of self-care knowledge are immediate concerns to reduce the morbidity as well as mortality of cervical cancer among Myanmar married women.