Despite the widespread success of the Pap smear test in North America in reducing incidence and mortality from cervical carcinoma, a reversal of this trend has been reported for younger women. Indicators of sexual behaviour such as, younger age at first intercourse and increasing number of sexual partners, are strongly related to the incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the occurrence of invasive cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia. This study investigates whether women who are at most risk (defined by young age, early onset of sexual activity and multiple sexual partners) of acquiring the HPV and cervical dysplasia are complying with the recommended Pap smear screening schedules. Data gathered from a longitudinal sample of the National Population Health Survey were used to examine predictors of appropriate screening behaviour among 1160 Canadian women aged 18-30. Age-adjusted analyses suggest that women who engage in first intercourse below the age of 16 are significantly more likely to undergo Pap smear screening (OR=0.5 95%CI 0.3-0.9). Compared to non-sexually active women, those with more than one partner in the past year show similar odds ratios for non-compliance as those with one partner (OR=0.4 95%CI 0.1-1.1). Other sexual-behavioural factors showed no evidence for increase or decrease in compliance. These results demonstrate that women at most risk for acquiring HPV are in fact undergoing regular Pap smear screening, and suggest that the screening visit may provide an opportunity to implement educational initiatives on HPV prevention.
Learning Objectives: The participants at the end of the session will learn about cervical cancer screening behaviour among young sexually active women.
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.