Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake by Hmong Hilltribe Women in Thailand

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Cervical cancer is relatively common in Thai women, but the proportion of females receivingPap smear screening is still low. <br/><b>Objective</b>: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to study factors relatedto cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province.Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Interview data were collected from 547 of these women aged 30-60 years living in thestudy area and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. <br/><b>Results</b>: The results showed that 64.9% of the studysample had received screening, and that 47.2% had attended due to a cervical screening campaign. The mostcommon reason given for not receiving screening was lack of time (21.4%). The factors found to be positivelyassociated with uptake (p value <0.05) were as follows: number of years of school attendance (OR=1.56,95%CI:1.02-2.38), animistic religious beliefs (OR=0.55, 95%CI:0.33-0.91), a previous pregnancy (OR=6.20,95%CI:1.36-28.35), receipt of information about cervical cancer screening (OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.35-3.76), andperceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.25-2.67). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: To promote the uptakeof cervical screening, Hmong hilltribe women need to know more about cervical cancer and cervical cancerscreening, and access to screening services should be provided in conjunction with existing everyday services,such as family planning and routine blood pressure monitoring or diabetes services.