Research and Advocacy, Rofaida Women's Health Organization, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2024 Oct;167(1):154-161. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.15532. Epub 2024 Apr 19.
The present study aimed to assess the current knowledge and uptake of Papanicolaou (Pap) tests for cervical screening among Saudi women, including barriers to undergoing the test and the availability of related services.
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a health questionnaire administered through the Absher portal between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020. The questionnaire consisted of five questions and took less than 5 min to complete. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze demographic variables, and chi-square tests were used to examine the association between these variables and Pap test uptake.
The questionnaire included 8194 Saudi women, with the majority from Makkah (24.40%), Riyadh (21.92%), and Eastern (14.44%) regions. Only 22.52% of respondents had ever received a Pap test, and among them, 17.48% did so based on their physician's recommendation. Private clinics accounted for 10.73% of Pap test locations, while public clinics accounted for 8.97%. The primary reasons for not undergoing the test were lack of knowledge regarding its importance (40.24%) and lack of information from physicians (16.96%). Knowledge of the Pap test as a cervical screening method was significantly associated with marital status, Saudi region, and age group.
This study revealed low awareness of the Pap test for cervical screening among Saudi women, particularly in younger age groups. Targeted educational initiatives are essential to increase awareness and emphasize the significance of regular screenings, especially among younger individuals, to enhance early detection and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Saudi Arabia.
本研究旨在评估沙特女性对巴氏涂片（Pap）检测用于宫颈癌筛查的现有认知和接受程度，包括进行该检测的障碍以及相关服务的可及性。
本研究采用横断面研究方法，于 2019 年 4 月 1 日至 2020 年 3 月 31 日通过 Absher 门户进行健康问卷调查。问卷由 5 个问题组成，完成时间不到 5 分钟。采用描述性和推断性统计方法分析人口统计学变量，并采用卡方检验评估这些变量与巴氏涂片检测接受度之间的关系。
问卷共包括 8194 名沙特女性，其中大多数来自麦加（24.40%）、利雅得（21.92%）和东部地区（14.44%）。仅有 22.52%的受访者曾接受过巴氏涂片检测，其中 17.48%是根据医生的建议进行的。私营诊所占巴氏涂片检测地点的 10.73%，而公立医院占 8.97%。未进行该检测的主要原因是缺乏对其重要性的认知（40.24%）和缺乏医生的信息（16.96%）。对巴氏涂片检测作为宫颈癌筛查方法的了解与婚姻状况、沙特地区和年龄组显著相关。
本研究表明，沙特女性对巴氏涂片检测用于宫颈癌筛查的认知度较低，尤其是在年轻年龄组中。需要开展有针对性的教育计划，以提高认识，强调定期筛查的重要性，特别是在年轻人群中，以提高早期发现率并减轻沙特阿拉伯的宫颈癌负担。
