Information Sources for Serbian Women on Cervical Carcinoma Risk Factors

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The epidemiological situation regarding cervical carcinoma in Serbia is rather unfavorableand one of contributing factors is the insufficient interest of women concerning the risk factors responsible foroccurrence of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the sources of relevant information for women<br/><b>Methods</b>: An anonymous questionnaire was used for questioning of patients, students and women undergoingsystematic examinations. There were 600 women in total in 2006, 2009 and 2010, and the data were statisticallyprocessed by the χ2 test with Yates correction and the Fisher test. <br/><b>Results</b>: When observed for certain groupsof tested women, and summed up for all three periods, there was a statistically significant difference for theanswer “without any knowledge” (p=0.0001). When observed for certain years and summed up for all threetested groups, there was a statistically significant difference in answers regarding the source of information, the“doctor” (p=0.0011), “media” (p=0.0349) and “encyclopedia-internet” (p=0.0136). <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: The media area dominant source of information for women on risk factors for cervical cancer. The significance of the Internetincreased during the three observed periods, while the students considered themselves least informed of allconcerning risk factors.