Cervical cancer screening behaviours among Thai women: Results from a cross-sectional survey of 2112 healthcare providers at Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

This study compares factors and reasons related to female healthcare providers' behaviours on their cervical cancer screening using an analytic cross-sectional hospital-based study. A total of 2112 female healthcare providers in Ramathibodi hospital who do not have any cancer and were willing to participate in the study completed written consent and an anonymous questionnaire. We measured characteristics, medical history, life behaviour factors and reasons related to their cervical cancer screening behaviours. Results: Five hundred of the 1365 responders (36.6%) have had at least one Pap test, meanwhile 848 responders (62.1%) have never had a Pap test and the remaining 17 responders (1.3%) did not complete answers. Between the two groups of responders who have had at least one Pap test and never had theirs Pap tests, their ages, careers and marital status influenced their cervical screening behaviours. Most of the reasons to refrain from their tests were their thoughtfulness of having no risks (27.1%), unnecessary (18.5%) and feeling shy (15.3%). In conclusion, the female hospital-based healthcare providers should have more intensive cervical cancer screening behaviours even though having no risks. Their demographic characteristics, medical history and life behaviours influenced their decisions. Their thoughtfulness of no risks, unnecessary and feeling shy overcomes their cervical screening behaviours. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.