[Participation indicators of organized cervical cancer screening in Hungary]

The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of women in Hungary who underwent gynecological cytological examinations either as part of a screening test or diagnostic examinations. Data derived from the nationwide financing database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Management and covered the period 2008-2021. We analyzed both diagnostic and screening cytological tests. The number of diagnostic tests has decreased. The number of patients per 10,000 female inhabitants in 2021 was a national average of 840. The highest rate was observed in the counties of Hajdú-Bihar (1464/10,000 female inhabitants), Tolna (1443) and Baranya (1254). In screening, the number of cytological tests is lower compared to smearing. The annual participation rate decreased from 28% to 17%. The number of patients and the participation rate of diagnostic cytology examinations decreased during the examined period. The added value of screening cytology is moderate, the willingness to participate is low, falling short of the expected value.