Perception of women on cancer screening and sexual behavior in a rural area, Jamaica: Is there a public health problem?

Type Journal Article - North American journal of medical sciences
Title Perception of women on cancer screening and sexual behavior in a rural area, Jamaica: Is there a public health problem?
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2010
Page numbers 174-181
URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354406/
Abstract
Background:

The Ministry of Health in Jamaica recommends that cervical cancer screening be undergo by women 25-54 years old. The age range is based on international standards, but this is in need for revision based on the parish of St. Thomas.
Aims:

The study aimed to evaluate the perception and practice of Pap smear and the sexual practices of women in St. Thomas in order to aid policy.
Patients and Methods:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 210 women (15-54 years) from St. Thomas, Jamaica.
Results:

Eighty eight percent of the sample had done a Pap smear and 24% indicated that they did this at least once every 12 months. The Pap smear results revealed that 83.2% of the sample was normal and 11.5% of the participants knew that their Pap smear was abnormal. Eighty percent of those with abnormal Pap smear were aged between 20-35 years. Sixty percent indicated that they did not believe they were infected with any STDs, but the Pap smear results showed that 76.4% of them had STDs. Eighty-three percent of the sample indicated having one sexual partner; 22.1% indicated that they began having sex before 15 years; 71% began having sex at 15-20 years; 76% of the sample used a condom and 12% reported that they had never practiced safe sex.
Conclusion:

This study finds that the age interval for conducting Pap smear screening should be lowered to 20 years for women in the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica.

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