Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 65 in total

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  1. Tang JR, Mat Isa NA, Ch'ng ES
    PLoS One, 2016;11(10):e0164389.
    PMID: 27741266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164389
    Pap test involves searching of morphological changes in cervical squamous epithelial cells by pathologists or cytotechnologists to identify potential cancerous cells in the cervix. Nuclear membrane irregularity is one of the morphological changes of malignancy. This paper proposes two novel techniques for the evaluation of nuclear membrane irregularity. The first technique, namely, penalty-driven smoothing analysis, introduces different penalty values for nuclear membrane contour with different degrees of irregularity. The second technique, which can be subdivided into mean- or median-type residual-based analysis, computes the number of points of nuclear membrane contour that deviates from the mean or median of the nuclear membrane contour. Performance of the proposed techniques was compared to three state-of-the-art techniques, namely, radial asymmetric, shape factor, and rim difference. Friedman and post hoc tests using Holm, Shaffer, and Bergmann procedures returned significant differences for all the three classes, i.e., negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) versus low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), NILM versus high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and LSIL versus HSIL when the span value equaled 3 was employed with linear penalty function. When span values equaled 5, 7, and 9, NILM versus LSIL and HSIL showed significant differences regardless of the penalty functions. In addition, the results of penalty-driven smoothing analysis were comparable with those of other state-of-the-art techniques. Residual-based analysis returned significant differences for the comparison among the three diagnostic classes. Findings of this study proved the significance of nuclear membrane irregularity as one of the features to differentiate the different diagnostic classes of cervical squamous epithelial cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  2. Mohd Nafis NS, Mat Zin AA
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2021 Oct 01;22(10):3261-3266.
    PMID: 34711003 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.10.3261
    Liquid-based preparation (LBP) cytology is commonly used in most laboratories these days due to its convenience and reliable results for the cervical cancer screening program. The PathTezt™ Liquid-based Pap smear is a second-generation LBP, which uses a filter-based concentration technique in processing the sample.

    OBJECTIVE: This study was done to evaluate the cellular fixation, morphology, quality of smear in gynae cytology, and diagnostic interpretation of cervical cytological smears produced by the PathTezt liquid-based processor.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 pap smear samples were taken and processed using the PathTezt 2000 processor. The slides were evaluated in terms of sample adequacy, percentage of the circle covered by epithelial cells, cellular distribution, obscuring factors, and cell fixation.

    RESULTS: About 95.25% (381) of the samples were satisfactory for the evaluation. In 19 (4.75%) of the samples, epithelial cells covered less than 50% of the circle. A sample with good cellular distribution was seen in 92% of the cases, while 354 (88.5%) samples showed minimal inflammatory background. Almost all the smears (95.75%) had no erythrocytes in the background. All smears showed good quality fixation features toward nuclear, cytoplasm, and microorganisms. The total performance rate was 99%.

    CONCLUSION: Although the PathTezt liquid-based processor is still new compared to other first-generation LBP, the smears produced by this method were of high quality and it was cost-effective.

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test/economics; Papanicolaou Test/instrumentation; Papanicolaou Test/methods*
  3. Nor Hayati O
    Malays J Med Sci, 2003 Jan;10(1):13-26.
    PMID: 23365496 MyJurnal
    Cancer of the cervix has the potential to be eradicated since the initiating cause is known. There was not much known about this cancer until the time of the Renaissance. In Malaysia, it is the second most common cancer among females after breast cancer. The strategies on prevention in this country are still not optimal. This article highlights the problems and also discusses the pathogenesis of this disease. The key to prevention is screening and the future is the era of molecular pap smear.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  4. Romli R, Shahabudin S, Saddki N, Mokhtar N
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 02;74(1):8-14.
    PMID: 30846655
    INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. The Pap smear test is the primary screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer.

    OBJECTIVES: This study analysed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of working women in Kedah state, Malaysia, about cervical cancer and Pap smear tests and the associations of knowledge, attitudes and practices with socio-demographic factors.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire study analysed knowledge, attitudes and practices among 210 female entrepreneurs who received funding from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) in Kedah state. Women were included if they were married or previously married, aged 20-65 years and had not been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

    RESULTS: Most subjects could not recall common symptoms of cervical cancer, such as bleeding between periods, and did not know or were unsure of the suitable age for Pap smear tests and the interval between tests. Although most subjects agreed that Pap smear tests were necessary, some gave priority to other issues. About half (55.2%) had undergone Pap smear tests, but only 38.6% had been tested within the previous five years. Use of hormonal contraceptives, higher knowledge score, and higher attitude score were associated with Pap smear testing within the previous 5 years.

    CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear testing and attitudes toward testing were poor among most participants. These factors were significantly associated with lack of actual testing.

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test/psychology*; Papanicolaou Test/statistics & numerical data
  5. Woo YL
    Journal of virus eradication, 2019 Mar 04;5(Suppl 1):10-11.
    PMID: 30997147
    Malaysia's approach to reducing the burden of HPV-related disease has centred on adolescent vaccination and cervical screening with Pap smears. While the vaccination programme has been broadly successful, Pap smear screening has been less successful. In an effort to improve screening uptake, the ROSE 1.0 pilot aimed to create more efficient screening, with improved quality and lower total cost.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  6. Abdullah F, O'Rorke M, Murray L, Su TT
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:572126.
    PMID: 24073411 DOI: 10.1155/2013/572126
    BACKGROUND: Despite the significant burden of cervical cancer, Malaysia like many middle-income countries relies on opportunistic cervical screening as opposed to a more organized population-based program. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of a worksite screening initiative upon Papanicolaou smear test (Pap test) uptake among educated working women in Malaysia.

    METHODS: 403 female teachers who never or infrequently attended for a Pap test from 40 public secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur were recruited into a cluster randomized trial conducted between January and November 2010. The intervention group participated in a worksite cervical screening initiative whilst the control group received usual care from the existing cervical screening program. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the impact of the intervention program on Pap smear uptake after 24 weeks of followup.

    RESULTS: The proportion of women attending for a Pap test was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group (18.1% versus 10.1%, P value < 0.05) with the worksite screening initiative doubling the Pap smear uptake, adjusted odds ratio 2.44 (95% CI: 1.29-4.62).

    CONCLUSION: Worksite health promotion interventions can effectively increase cervical smear uptake rates among eligible workers in middle-income countries. Policy makers and health care providers in these countries should include such interventions in strategies for reducing cervical cancer burden. This trial is registered with IRCT201103186088N1.

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test/methods*
  7. Abdullah F, Aziz NA, Su TT
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(5):1347-52.
    PMID: 21875295
    INTRODUCTION: The Pap smear test has been regarded as a promising cervical screening tool since 1940s. Yet its importance has been overlooked by beneficiaries in Malaysia. This underlines the need to identify the prevalence of Pap smear practice and influencing factors towards the practice among educated working women.

    METHODS: A survey was conducted with 403 female teachers from 40 public secondary schools in Malaysia selected by cluster random sampling. Data were collected from January to March 2010 using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors related to the Pap smear practice.

    RESULTS: The rate for participants who ever had Pap test was only 38% and poor practice of was significantly higher among: those with aged less than 35 years; those practicing hormonal contraceptive method; and individuals perceiving barriers to the Pap smear screening test. In contrast, the findings were significantly lower in women with longer duration of teaching service; higher income groups; ever pregnant; having chronic diseases; health insurance coverage; and who had perceived benefit of Pap smear screening.

    CONCLUSION: Barriers towards practicing Pap smear exist even among educated career women. Tailor-made health promotion and education on cervical cancer and the benefit of Pap smear screening are essential to change the behavior of the study population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  8. Maziah AM, Sharifah NA, Yahya A
    Malays J Pathol, 1991 Dec;13(2):105-8.
    PMID: 1823091
    Seventy-seven patients who had PAP smear cytology and colposcopic examination in a 2-year period between 1988 and 1989 were reviewed. Those with findings indicative or suspicious of malignancy were subjected to biopsy. All 50 patients thus biopsied were confirmed to have preclinical cancer on histological examination. Compared against histology, PAP smear cytology gave an accuracy rate of 90% (5 false negatives) and colposcopy gave an accuracy rate of 94% (3 false negatives). These results demonstrate that the two techniques are useful as screening tests for preclinical cervical cancer. The results are improved if they are used complementarily. However, there was poor specificity in the categorisation of cervical cancer by both methods. This was probably due to the subjectiveness of the two procedures. The study also raised the possibility of a higher incidence of preclinical cervical cancer in the Chinese ethnic group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  9. Chee HL, Rashidah S, Shamsuddin K, Sharifah Zainiyah SY
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):320-9.
    PMID: 14750370
    A total of 486 Malaysian women electronics workers participated in a study of reproductive health knowledge and cancer screening. The practice of Breast Self Examination (BSE) was found to be related to educational attainment; while ever having had a Pap smear was found to be related to being older than 30 years old, being ever married, living with family or relatives, and not staying in hostels. Knowledge on reproductive health was found to be higher for older women, married women, living with family or relatives, not staying in hostels, ever having done BSE and ever having had a Pap smear.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  10. El-Tawil SG, Adnan R, Muhamed ZN, Othman NH
    Pathology, 2008 Oct;40(6):600-3.
    PMID: 18752127 DOI: 10.1080/00313020802320622
    AIMS: To evaluate Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as new tool for screening of cervical cancer in comparison with cervical cytology.

    METHODS: A total of 800 cervical scrapings were taken by cytobrush and placed in ThinPrep medium. The samples were dried over infrared transparent matrix. Beams of infrared light were directed at the dried samples at frequency of 4000 to 400 cm(-1). The absorption data were produced using a Spectrum BX II FTIR spectrometer. Data were compared with the reference absorption data of known samples using FTIR spectroscopy software. FTIR spectroscopy was compared with cytology (gold standard).

    RESULTS: FTIR spectroscopy could differentiate normal from abnormal cervical cells in the samples examined. The sensitivity was 85%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 19.5% and negative predictive value of 99.5%.

    CONCLUSION: This study suggests that FTIR spectroscopy could be used as an alternative method for screening for cervical cancer.

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  11. Romli R, Shahabudin S, Saddki N, Mokhtar N
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2020 Mar 01;21(3):853-859.
    PMID: 32212817 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.3.853
    OBJECTIVE: We examined the effectiveness of a health education program to improve; knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer and Pap smear, and uptake of Pap smear test among female entrepreneurs in Kedah, a northern state of Malaysia.

    METHODS: This controlled community trial involved 210 women from the districts of Alor Setar and Sungai Petani. Simple random sampling was applied to select 105 women from each district. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information about the variables of interest. Health education intervention program included educational talk, demo video, experience sharing, pamphlet distribution, and text message reminders. Evaluation of outcomes was performed twice. The text message reminders acted as the cues to action that were sent between the two evaluation times at one-month interval. Women in the control group received educational talk alone. In the control group, evaluation of outcomes was done only once, which was one month after the educational talk.

    RESULTS: Knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear, and attitude towards Pap smear among women in both intervention and control group improved significantly at Evaluation stage 1. However, no further improvements were observed in the intervention group at Evaluation stage 2. The uptake of Pap smear in the intervention group increased significantly from 48.0% at Baseline to 68.0% at Evaluation stage 1 (P<0.001), and from 68.0% to 79.0% at Evaluation stage 2 (P<0.001). A significant increase in Pap smear uptake was also seen in the control group from 63.0% at Baseline to 76.0% at Evaluation stage 1 (P=0.003).

    CONCLUSIONS: Educational talk alone was effective in improving knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear, attitude towards the test, and the actual uptake of the test. However, text reminders were more effective than having an educational talk alone in increasing uptake of Pap smear test among participants.
    .

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  12. Wong LP, Wong YL, Low WY, Khoo EM, Shuib R
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Jan;50(1):49-53.
    PMID: 19224084
    INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women worldwide. Despite the existence of effective screening using Pap smear, the uptake of screening is poor. A qualitative study was undertaken using face-to-face in-depth interviews to investigate knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on cervical cancer screening of Malaysian women.
    METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Malaysian women aged 21-56 years and who have never had a Pap smear test, with the aim to explore their knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and its screening.
    RESULTS: A lack of knowledge on cervical cancer and the Pap smear test was found among the respondents. Many women did not have a clear understanding of the meaning of an abnormal cervical smear and the need for the early detection of cervical cancer. Many believe the purpose of the Pap smear test is to detect existing cervical cancer, leading to the belief that Pap smear screening is not required because the respondents had no symptoms. Despite considerable awareness of a link between cervical cancer and sexual activity, as well as the role of a sexually-transmitted infection, none of the respondents had heard of the human papillomavirus.
    CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of emphasising accurate information about cervical cancer and the purpose of Pap smear screening when designing interventions aimed at improving cervical cancer screening for Malaysian women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test*
  13. Wong YL, Chinna K, Mariapun J, Wong LP, Khoo EM, Low WY, et al.
    Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S24-6.
    PMID: 23318158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.004
    OBJECTIVES: To identify the correlates between risk perceptions and cervical cancer screening among urban Malaysian women.
    METHOD: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among 231 women in Petaling Jaya city in 2007. The association of risk perceptions of cervical cancer and screening practice was analyzed using Poisson regression.
    RESULTS: 56% of the respondents ever had a Pap smear test. Knowledge of signs and symptoms (aPR=1.11, 95% CI=1.03-1.19), age (aPR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.03), number of pregnancies (aPR=1.06, 95% CI=1.01-1.11), marital status, education level and religion were found to be significant correlates of Pap smear screening. Respondents who were never married were less likely to have had a Pap smear. Those who had no education or primary education were less likely to have had a Pap smear compared to those with degree qualification. The prevalence of screening was significantly higher among Christians and others (aPR=1.35; 95% CI=1.01-1.81) and Buddhists (aPR=1.38; 95% CI=1.03-1.84), compared to Muslims.
    CONCLUSION: Eliminating anecdotal beliefs as risks via targeted knowledge on established risk factors and culturally sensitive screening processes are strategic for increasing and sustaining uptake of Pap smear screening versus current opportunistic screening practices.
    KEYWORDS: Cervical cancer; Malaysia; Pap smear; Risk perception; Screening; Targeted knowledge
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test/psychology*; Papanicolaou Test/statistics & numerical data
  14. Ng Pei Ting, Nurul Azira Ismail, Noor Izzah Abd Rahman, Yasohdha Anne Sundraraj
    MyJurnal
    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 screen- ing 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
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  15. Nagamma T, Ashok L, Konuri A, Chandrasekaran V
    Niger Postgrad Med J, 2020 11 7;27(4):343-347.
    PMID: 33154288 DOI: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_148_20
    Background: Cervical cancer health education programmes are not accessible to rural women in developing countries.

    Objective: Our study aimed at assessing the health literacy about cervical cancer amongst the rural women in Udupi district, southern India, before and following intervention using audio-visual aid/face-to-face interactive sessions versus pamphlets alone.

    Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 166 women participated in the study. Participant groups were allocated into two interventional (Experimental/Control) groups. Participants in the experimental group received education through the video followed by face-to-face interaction with a health educator while those in the control group received a pamphlet. A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge about numerous risk factors, Pap smear test and treatment of cervical cancer (pre- and post-intervention test). The findings are presented as frequencies and percentages. Paired responses were compared for individual questions using McNemar test and P < 0.05 was fixed as statistically significant.

    Results: Former to the intervention, 13.5% and 19.1% in the experimental and control groups, respectively, felt that personal hygiene was important to prevent cervical cancer. Both the groups had very limited knowledge regarding risk factors (93.6%; 94%), symptoms (96.3%; 97.6%) and knowledge that Pap smears can reduce the risk of cervical cancer (91.7%; 93.9%). The change in knowledge pre-and post-intervention in both groups increased significantly.

    Conclusion: Intervention with face-to-face interactive sessions showed a positive impact on knowledge regarding cervical cancer. These findings indicate both methods can be effective in providing health education in the community.

    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  16. Seng LM, Rosman AN, Khan A, Haris NM, Mustapha NAS, Husaini NSM, et al.
    Int J Health Sci (Qassim), 2018 7 20;12(4):42-48.
    PMID: 30022903
    Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and ascertain the current knowledge, perception, level of awareness, and attitudes toward cervical cancer (CC) among women in Malaysia.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted which involved 210 women aged between 21 and 60 years old at the public in Malaysia, a subsequent statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 22.

    Results: In comparison with other studies, there is still lacking of awareness on CC and these induced informal cluelessness and poor attitudes toward it. In terms of risk factors, there are two factors with some degree of awareness among women in Malaysia, i.e., multiple sexual partners and sexually transmitted diseases. Women in Malaysia have less awareness on the causes and clinical manifestations of the disease (P < 0.05). They are aware that regular papanicolaou (Pap) smear would screen CC and surgery could be a treatment of choice. In addition, women in Malaysia also have moderate awareness about Pap smear as prevention to detect and prevent CC at the early stage.

    Conclusions: Women in Malaysia only has a good awareness about multiple sex partner and sexually transmitted disease as a risk factor for CC, they also have good knowledge on regular Pap smear as a tool to diagnose and surgery as a treatment. Future, further effort is required to promote awareness of women's perception and attitudes toward CC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  17. Asmani AR, Aziah D, Group 8
    MyJurnal
    Cervical cancer is preventable by detecting precancerous states through Pap smear screening, followed by appropriate treatment. In Malaysia, even with a high incidence of cervical cancer and accessible screening program, the uptake of Pap smear screening was still low. Lack of knowledge, embarrassment, fear for the test and results are the factors reducing participation. The aim of this study was to determine the change in knowledge and attitude regarding the Pap smear screening as well as knowledge on cervical cancer among women in Mukim ]aya Setia after educational intervention. A community trial was conducted in August 2005 where 80 women were randomly selected. The women were interviewed for assessment prior to the intervention, using a set of structured questionnaire. The women underwent educational intervention programmes on cervical cancer and Pap smear screening. After a week, the women were re-assessed using the same set of questionnaire for their post intervention knowledge and attitudes. Scores were given for each answer, which were totaled and analyzed. The mean (SD) age was 41.1 (10.37) years. Most were housewives (87.5%), within the low income group (91.2%), of less than RM 1000.00 income per household. Most of the women received their education up to the secondary level only (97.5%). Despite their poor economic status, most of them had more than three children (68.8%). There was a significant improvement in knowledge of Pap smear (mean difference= 4.3, 95% CI= 3.55, 5.10) and cervical cancer (mean difference= 10.7, 95% CI= 10.03, 11.37) as well as attitude to Pap smear (mean difference= 7.1, 95% CI= 5.72, 8.47) after educational intervention. The knowledge and attitudes towards Pap smear screening as well as knowledge on cervical cancer among rural women in Mukim ]aya Setia, Kota Bharu improved after educational intervention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  18. Jamsiah, M.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : Cervical cancer can be prevented through pap smear screening and its proper management of high risk cases. High level of knowledge regarding pap smear screening will encourage women to do pap smear as recommended.
    Methadology : A cross sectional study was carried out in Jun 2007 to find out the level of knowledge regarding pap smear among married women in Kg. Sesapa Kelubi, Hulu Langat Selangor. Universal sampling was conducted using guided questionnaire and data was analysed using SPSS version 12.
    Result : A total of 154 women participated in this study. Only 3.9% of respondents practiced pap smear as recommended and only 51.3% of them have high level of knowledge with 27.9% has no knowledge regarding pap smear. Women between the ages of 20-35 years old have higher level of knowledge (77.9%). The only factor that showed significant association with level of knowledge in this study is level of education. Age, income, gravida and occupation did not show any significant association.
    Conclusion : The effectiveness of pap smear screening program should be regularly evaluated to determine the problem of its low coverage. Proper strategy should be planned to increase knowledge among women and their participation in pap smear program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  19. Asmani AR, Aziah D, Group 8
    MyJurnal
    Undergoing a Pap smear screening is widely accepted as a costeffective screening for detection of cervical abnormalities. In Peninsular Malaysia, cervical cancer was the second commonest cancer among women with incidence rate of 17.8 per 100,000 populations in 2002. Despite the high incidence of cervical cancer, only 26% of eligible woman had undergone Pap smear screening. To determine the prevalence of Pap smear screening, reasons for not undergoing the screening as well as the associated sociodemographic factors among women in Mukim Jaya Setia, a crass-sectional study was conducted in ]anuary 2005. Two hundred and ninety five from 350 households were randomly selected by using a Random Digit Table. Two hundred and eighty consented married women, aged 18 years and above were interviewed by the trained interviewers using structured
    questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of socio-demographic characteristic, Pap smear screening practice and risk factors of cervical cancer. There were 280 women who responded to the questionnaires. Majority of them were housewives (75%) and with low income (84.3%). Most ofthe women completed their education up to lower secondary school only (95%). Only 144 (51.4%) women undergo Pap smear screening but not on a regular basis. Most of them were screened only once, which was more than 3 years ago. Lack of knowledge, no accommodation, feel unnecessary and shy and no time were among the reasons that deterred the women from Pop smear screening. Women who were younger and with higher education level had more Pap smear screening compared to the older and with low education level. The practices of Pap smear screening among women in these villages were still low and was associated with age and educational level.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
  20. Aishah Knight, A.S.
    MyJurnal
    Cancer screening is an important part of any cancer control program and the success of any screening program is partly dependent on having large numbers of the high risk population availing themselves of the service. The purpose of this study was to assess the cancer screening behavior of fulbtime employed women staff of an institute of higher learning using the Health Belief Model (HBM) construct. The results showed that the rate of reported regular cancer screening behavior (Pap smear screening, breast self examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography screening) were low. The rates for regular screening were 42.5% (Pap smear), 20.9% (BSE), 15.5% (CBE) and 9.4% (mammography). There were differences in the dimensions of the HBM between the women who reported regular screening and those that did not. The perceived barriers", "perceived benefits” and “motivation” dimensions were different in Pap smear screening, whereas the "confidence” dimension was different in BSE. Recommendations were made for a health education program targeting both women and men to increase uptake of cancer screening services by women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Papanicolaou Test
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