Factors associated with regular cervical cancer screening.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Regular cervical screening (CS) is crucial for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
• Understanding factors influencing CS participation is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with regular cervical screening (CS) participation among French women.
• To inform public health strategies aimed at increasing CS rates in France.

Main Methods:

• A population-based, observational, cross-sectional study involving 5354 randomly selected French women.
• Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data on screening history and related factors.
• Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of regular CS.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between regular CS and prior HIV screening, professional activity, higher education levels, and recent gynecologic check-ups.
• Fear of cervical cancer emerged as a significant positive predictor for undergoing regular CS.
• These factors collectively highlight a profile of women more likely to engage in regular cervical screening.

Conclusions:

• The findings have significant public health implications for France, emphasizing the need to improve awareness and access to information regarding HPV infection and cervical cancer.
• Interventions should consider addressing factors like prior health screenings, employment status, educational attainment, and gynecologic care access.
• Enhancing public understanding of HPV and its consequences is essential for promoting regular cervical screening and reducing the burden of cervical cancer.