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Perceptions of risk of cervical cancer and attitudes towards cervical screening: a comparison of smokers and non-smokers

Perceptions of risk of cervical cancer and attitudes towards cervical screening: a comparison of... Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare smokers' and non-smokers' perceptions of risks of cervical cancer and attitudes towards cervical screening. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 722 women aged between 20 and 64 years. Results. While smokers perceived their relative risk of heart disease to be greater than that of non-smokers, they did not perceive their risks of cervical cancer to be greater. Smokers held less positive attitudes towards cervical screening than did non-smokers. Smokers and non-smokers did not differ in their intentions to attend for cervical screening: for both groups, intentions were very high. Using logistic regression analysis, both attitudes towards cervical screening (odds ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.2) and perceived relative risk of developing cervical cancer (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0–2.1) were predictive of intentions to attend for screening, as well as educational level (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.2–11.3) and marital status (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.3–0.9). Conclusions. Smokers seem unaware of their increased risks of cervical cancer and hence the increased value for them of regular smears. Evaluations are needed to determine the effectiveness of interventions delivered in the context of cervical screening aimed at (i) raising smokers' awareness of their increased risk of cervical cancer and (ii) stopping smoking. Key words http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Family Practice Oxford University Press

Perceptions of risk of cervical cancer and attitudes towards cervical screening: a comparison of smokers and non-smokers

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References (26)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 Oxford University Press
ISSN
0263-2136
eISSN
1460-2229
DOI
10.1093/fampra/19.1.18
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare smokers' and non-smokers' perceptions of risks of cervical cancer and attitudes towards cervical screening. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 722 women aged between 20 and 64 years. Results. While smokers perceived their relative risk of heart disease to be greater than that of non-smokers, they did not perceive their risks of cervical cancer to be greater. Smokers held less positive attitudes towards cervical screening than did non-smokers. Smokers and non-smokers did not differ in their intentions to attend for cervical screening: for both groups, intentions were very high. Using logistic regression analysis, both attitudes towards cervical screening (odds ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.2) and perceived relative risk of developing cervical cancer (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0–2.1) were predictive of intentions to attend for screening, as well as educational level (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.2–11.3) and marital status (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.3–0.9). Conclusions. Smokers seem unaware of their increased risks of cervical cancer and hence the increased value for them of regular smears. Evaluations are needed to determine the effectiveness of interventions delivered in the context of cervical screening aimed at (i) raising smokers' awareness of their increased risk of cervical cancer and (ii) stopping smoking. Key words

Journal

Family PracticeOxford University Press

Published: Feb 1, 2002

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