Knowledge of cervical cancer screening among women attending a university health center

One hundred fifty-four female students completed a questionnaire regarding the Pap test and cervical cancer screening during routine yearly examination at a university health center. Ninety percent knew that a Pap test screened for precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. More than half of the students, however, thought that the test also screened for other forms of gynecologic cancer and for a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. Approximately half of the respondents were unfamiliar with proper preparation for the test (e.g., avoiding sexual intercourse and intravaginal contraceptive application) and the majority did not know about specific risk factors for cervical cancer. These findings indicate a need for improved health education efforts regarding the risk factors for cervical disease and the role and importance of Pap smears.