The prevalence and factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women in the general population: Evidence from National Health Survey

Introduction/Objective. Serbia has been burdened with one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Europe. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with compliance to cervical cancer screening among women in the general population. Methods. The study used the data from 2013 National Health Survey of the population of Serbia. Logistic regression analysis was further used to examine demographic and socio-economic factors which affect the disparities in cervical cancer screening practices among the female population. Results. Every third woman (35.4%) has never done a Pap test in her lifetime. The highest percentage of respondents did their Pap tests after they were recommended by doctors (52.3%); 45% of women did it on their own initiative, and only 2.7% did it after they had been summoned to participate in an organized screening by their doctor. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the most important factors in women who had never undergone Pap tests were the following: age (being within the youngest or the oldest age group), rural residence and low level of education, poor socio-economic status, and marital status (have never married). Conclusion. Further strategies and interventions for improving cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates should be focused on socially and economically endangered population groups in order to reduce disparities in cervical cancer screening more effectively.