Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In this study, it has been aimed to detect female doctors’ (working in Antalya Training and Research Hospital) level of knowledge about cervical cancer, risk factors and methods of preventing this disease, and their attitudes towards early diagnosis through Pap smear screening recommended routinely for early diagnosis.

METHODS

Our study is a cross-sectional survey. We asked the participants questions about; their demographic properties, risk factors of cervical cancer, methods of preventing this disease and their attitudes towards Pap smear screening. Those who do not except to fill in the questionnaire are excluded.

RESULTS

141 female doctors were included in our study. 99,3% of the participants knew HPV is the cause of cervical cancer and 97,9% knew early age of the first sexual experience increase the risk of cervical cancer. While 49,6% of the female doctors participated in the survey have not had Pap smear screening before, 29,8% had it irregularly. The rate of those having regular Pap smear screening is only 20,6%. In this study, the most common causes for rejecting the test are; “having no need because of having no complaint”, “being afraid of gynecological examination” and “not feeling themselves under risk”.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Therefore our initial target must be to inform healthcare professionals correctly about cervical cancer and Pap smear screenings. Thus, healthcare professionals will be able to contribute to informing the public.