Abstract:
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of deaths among women worldwide. But the condition is
preventable and can be detected prior to the symptoms appear through regular screening of
pap test. Although screening facilities are available freely, the non-uptake of pap test by the
women in vulnerable ages remains very high. Purpose of the study is to determine the level
of knowledge and practice on cancer of cervix and screening and the influential factors for
uptake of pap test amongst women (> 35 years) in Jaffna. A random sample of size 225 from
Tamil community was selected and a structural questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary
data. Irrespective of different variables only 64% were aware of the pap test and 87% of
women in Jaffna district have never uptaken the pap test. Furthermore, 47% were unaware
of any one of the signs and symptoms while 29% were unaware of the risk factors. The x2
analysis found that age category, income category, educational level, the knowledge on signs
and symptoms, heard of cervical cancer screening, knowledge on signs and symptoms, heard
of cervical cancer screening, knowing the possibility of detection, awareness of health
facilities for screening services, and knowledge of cervical cancer screening, status of use of
contraceptives, and family engagement are significant on uptake of pap test. When all factors
are considered simultaneously, it was found that, education level, total monthly income,
knowledge of detection before symptoms, participation of awareness program, knowledge of
cancer screening, use of contraceptives are significantly positively influence on the odd ratio
of not being up taking the pap test. The predictive power of the fitted model is 88%. The odds
of not up taking the pap test by women is 254 times higher for those who have primary
education compared to those who have tertiary education and above. The corresponding figure
for those have secondary education is 76. The odds of not up taking the pap test is 6 times
higher for women whose total family income lesser 25,000/= compared to the women whose
family income is higher than 50, 000/= . The odds of not up taking the pap test by those who
are not using contraceptives is 5.7 times higher than that of who are taking oral contraceptives.
The inferences derived in this study need to be used effectively for the benefit of women in
Jaffna district.
