Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female Health Care Workers In Primary Healthcare In Qatar

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. The female health care workers who provide reproductive health care are one of the most important health knowledge providers and promoters.Aim: The aim was to identify the deficits in the Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of female health care workers in primary healthcare centers in order to improve and raise their awareness of cervical cancer screening to a level high enough to provide accurate information, good attitudes, and practice for cervical cancer screening.Objective(s):(1) To assess the level of Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding cervical cancer screening among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in primary health care in Qatar.(2) To examine factors influencing female healthcare workers (HCWs) participation in the cervical cancer screening program.(3) To determine where the female healthcare workers (HCWs) would prefer to do the test and by whom.Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cervical cancer screening in 90 female health care workers working in Primary Health Care Centers in the state of Qatar. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices toward cervical cancer screening as well as factors influencing female healthcare workers (HCWs) to participate in the cervical cancer screening program and where the female healthcare workers (HCWs) would prefer to do the test and by whom. Data were analyzed using Epi Info. software. Data analysis was applied to identify the statistical significant limit of P < 0.05.Results: The total sample included 90 female health care workers revealing 43.3 % were in the age group 30-39 years, 91.1% were non Qatari, 81.1% were nurses. Among the participants 92.2 % had adequate Knowledge regarding cervical cancer risk factors (multiple partners, HPV, and family history), while less than 9 % knew the eligibility and screening interval for cervical cancer screening. Of the female participants, 57.8 % didn't feel they were at risk, 84.4% believed that they must be screened, 96.7 % were referred for cancer screening, and 42.2% had a pap smear before. There were significant test results related to knowledge of (Smoking, and Family History) as risk factors mainly among residents which reaches 100% compared to physicians and nurses. The study results also showed that the most common factor influencing participation in the cervical cancer screening program are embarrassment (17.3%), inadequate training (14.8%) and exposed by colleagues (13.6%). Among the participants, 94.5% preferred to have a Pap smear test conducted by female physicians either in the Well women clinic in the primary health care centers (32.2%) or Gynecological clinic in hospital (27.8%).Conclusion: Most of the participants group were nurses (81.1%). The present study shows inadequate levels of knowledge regarding the eligibility and screening interval (9%). They had a good attitude towards cervical cancer screening but a low practicing percentage. In addition, low percentage (32.2%) of them preferred to have a pap smear in well woman clinics in primary care and they preferred female doctors to do cervical cancer screening.