A Study of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Pap Smears screening among female in-patients in Hospital Teluk Intan, Perak

Cancer of uterine cervix is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, second only to breast cancer in incidence and mortality. Industrialized countries have dramatically reduced the incidence of mortality from cervical cancer in the last 50 years through aggressive screening programs utilizing pelvic examinations and Papanicolaou (pap) smears. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between socio-demography, knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pap smear screening among female patients in Hospital Teluk Intan. There was statistically significant association between level of knowledge and practice (p<0.001) as well as between information seeking, behavior and level of knowledge (p<0.001). Women with formal education were found to have a better knowledge (p=0.036) and tended to seek more information (p<0.001) regarding pap smear and cervical cancer. In general, the practice and attitude towards pap smear screening was better among women with higher educational level and who got sufficient information.