Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening among physicians in Western Region of Saudi Arabia by Dr. Nisrin Anfinan given during the 9th European Congress on Menopause and Andropause powered by - MULTIWEBCAST

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Objectives: To evaluate knowledge and practice of the
Pap test, the role of HPV in the etiology of cervical
cancer, and attitudes regarding the HPV vaccine of female physicians in the western region of Saudi
Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using
an interview with a structured questionnaire to obtain
information regarding cervical cancer, practice in
screening for cervical cancer, and attitudes of female
physicians regarding the HPV vaccine in different health
facilities in Saudi Arabia. The study was performed in
the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty
of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital,
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between May and
December 2009.
Results: Of the 200 respondents, 70 (35%) physicians
comprised gynecological doctors (GDs) group I, and
130 (65%) physicians comprised the non-gynecological
doctors (NGDs) group II. The mean age was 36 years.
A total of 63 (90%) in group I, and 87 (60.5%) in
group II knew that HPV is a cause for cervical cancer.
Forty-five (64.3%) in group I, and 44 (33.8%) in group
II believed that cervical cancer was curable (p<0.05). A
total of 182 (91%) physicians in the GDs and NGDs
group knew that the Pap smear test is used as a screening
method for cervical cancer. A total of 97 (48.5%)
physicians knew about the HPV vaccine. When the
physicians were provided with information regarding
the HPV vaccine, 100 (50%) physicians stated they
would recommend the vaccine to their patients.
Conclusion: Physicians in Saudi Arabia would benefit
from further education regarding the available screening,
prevention for HPV, and cervical cancer.

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