Cervical Cancer Screening Status in 35 to 60 Year-old Women in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Continuous evaluation of screening programs in different parts of the country can provide appropriate feedbacks for the health system to adopt training programs and modify existing protocols. We studied the current status of cervical cancer screening in women referred to health centers in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in women aged 35 to 60 years old covered by health centers in Isfahan city for one year starting from the beginning of 2011. Patients were selected by clustered random sampling method. Data were gathered by telephone or in-person interviews and also by the review of medical records. Findings: From 324 patients studied, 284 patients (87.7%) had at least one Pap smear test, of whom, 10.5% had one test and 89.4% had several tests (38.7% had the test done every three years and 50.7% irregularly). The associations of age and education with performing Pap smear test was not statistically significant (P = 0.062), but being employed outside home was associated with less frequent Pap smear tests (P < 0.001). No relationship was found between the family history of cancer and the frequency of Pap smear tests (P = 0.288). Conclusion: Based on our results, there is a need to improve women's participation rates in cervical cancer screening by primary health care providers. Promoting awareness through high schools and higher education institutions seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]