Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Health Care Workers in Misurata towards Pap smear Screening Test for Cervical Cancer “A Public Women’s Health Concern.”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54361/LJMR.19.2.52Keywords:
Pap smear, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Healthcare workers, MisurataAbstract
Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, which is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus. Pap smear is still the easiest way and primary screening tool to detect early precursors to cervical cancer. Aim: The current study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Pap smear screening among healthcare workers in Misurata. Material and Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 221 healthcare workers in Misurata public hospitals using a self-administered KAP online questionnaire. Results: out of the 221 participants, only 11% demonstrated good knowledge of Pap smear screening, while 70.9% had moderate knowledge. 58.8% of them exhibited a negative attitude toward the test. However, only 12.2% reported practicing Pap smear screening. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with economic status, education level, age, and profession (p = 0.001, 0.002, 0.036, and 0.029), respectively. The attitude was not significantly affected by socio-demographic, pregnancy, or contraceptive use. Practice of the Pap smear test was significantly associated with contraceptive use and profession (p=0.026 and 0.014), respectively. Higher education, professional level, use of contraceptives, and higher knowledge scores were positively associated with Pap smear testing. (P-value 0.025 OR= 0.074, p-value 0.011, OR = 0.241, p-value= 0.043, OR= 0.367, and p-value 0.037, OR- 0.133 respectively). Conclusion: The majority of healthcare workers in Misurata demonstrated poor knowledge and low practice levels regarding Pap smear screening.
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