Wong L P, Wong Y L, Low W Y, Khoo E M, Shuib R
Health Research Development United, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Int J Behav Med. 2008;15(4):289-92. doi: 10.1080/10705500802365490.
Attitudes toward cervical cancer and participation in early detection and screening services are well known to be profoundly affected by cultural beliefs and norms.
This study explored the attitudes and sociocultural beliefs on cervical cancer screening among Malaysian women.
In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Malaysian women, ages 21 to 56 years, who have never had a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear.
Respondents generally showed a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer screening using Pap smear, and the need for early detection for cervical cancer. Many believed the Pap smear was a diagnostic test for cervical cancer, and since they had no symptoms, they did not go for Pap screening. Other main reasons for not doing the screening included lack of awareness of Pap smear indications and benefits, perceived low susceptibility to cervical cancer, and embarrassment. Other reasons for not being screened were related to fear of pain, misconceptions about cervical cancer, fatalistic attitude, and undervaluation of own health needs versus those of the family.
Women need to be educated about the benefits of cervical cancer screening. Health education, counseling, outreach programs, and community-based interventions are needed to improve the uptake of Pap smear in Malaysia.
众所周知，对宫颈癌的态度以及参与早期检测和筛查服务会受到文化信仰和规范的深刻影响。
本研究探讨了马来西亚女性对宫颈癌筛查的态度和社会文化信仰。
在这项定性研究中，对20名年龄在21至56岁之间、从未进行过巴氏涂片检查的马来西亚女性进行了深入访谈。
受访者普遍对使用巴氏涂片进行宫颈癌筛查以及宫颈癌早期检测的必要性缺乏了解。许多人认为巴氏涂片是宫颈癌的诊断测试，由于她们没有症状，所以没有进行巴氏筛查。不进行筛查的其他主要原因包括对巴氏涂片的适应症和益处缺乏认识、认为自己患宫颈癌的易感性低以及感到尴尬。不进行筛查的其他原因与害怕疼痛、对宫颈癌的误解、宿命论态度以及相对于家庭健康需求而言对自身健康需求的低估有关。
需要对女性进行宫颈癌筛查益处的教育。需要开展健康教育、咨询、外展项目以及基于社区的干预措施，以提高马来西亚巴氏涂片的接受率。
