Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women toward Cervical Cancer Screening during Pregnancy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer screening (CCS) during pregnancy among pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand from February to September 2024. Participants were pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years old who attended their first antenatal visit at a gestational age of less than 20 weeks. After counseling, written informed consent was signed after well understood of the study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of knowledge about cervical cancer, attitudes towards screening and interest in undergoing screening during pregnancy was used. RESULTS: A total of 384 participants were recruited. The average maternal age was 30 years. Two-thirds (254/384) of the participants had at least a bachelor's degree, and over half (197/384) had a high salary. Only 42.7 (164/384) percent had previously undergone CCS with 70 (115/164) percent screened in the past 3 years. Knowledge scores averaged 8.9 out of 15 with many participants unaware of key facts, including the use of the Pap smear for screening. Although most participants (85.2-97.4%) had a positive attitude towards CCS during pregnancy, only 57(219/384) percent were interested in undergoing CCS during pregnancy. Factors such as prior screening and knowledge level were significant determinants of interest in CCS. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women had moderate knowledge and a good attitude towards cervical cancer and CCS. Less than half of pregnant women uninterested in CCS during pregnancy with the reason of prior CCS before pregnancy and inconvenience.