Factors affecting cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Thailand

Cervical cancer is relatively common in Thai women, but the proportion of females receiving Pap smear screening is still low.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to study factors related to cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province.

Interview data were collected from 547 of these women aged 30-60 years living in the study area and analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

The results showed that 64.9% of the study sample had received screening, and that 47.2% had attended due to a cervical screening campaign. The most common reason given for not receiving screening was lack of time (21.4%). The factors found to be positively associated with uptake (p value <0.05) were as follows: number of years of school attendance (OR=1.56, 95%CI:1.02-2.38), animistic religious beliefs (OR=0.55, 95%CI:0.33-0.91), a previous pregnancy (OR=6.20, 95%CI:1.36-28.35), receipt of information about cervical cancer screening (OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.35-3.76), and perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.25-2.67).

To promote the uptake of cervical screening, Hmong hilltribe women need to know more about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, and access to screening services should be provided in conjunction with existing everyday services, such as family planning and routine blood pressure monitoring or diabetes services.