Cervical Cancer Risk Factors and Screening Behavior Among Women In Taif , Saudi Arabia

Cervical cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in females in 2008. This study aim to assess cervical cancer risk factors and screening behaviors (Pap Smear test and endovaginal sonography) among women in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was used during the period from October 2014 to March 2015, conducted in different areas in Taif-city (Health College, Medical college -Taif University, Residential areas, and Shopping Mall (Qalb El Taif Mall) among 316 women ages 20 years and older. Tool: A structured questionnaire was designed for data collection includes three parts : The socio-demographic data, knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and knowledge about pap smear test. Result: Most of the study sample were Saudi (70.3%) and University educated (85.4%) , mean age in was (31.5±10.7). Majority of participants had good knowledge about risk factors of cervical cancer (73.4%) and (88.3 %) of the study sample haven't heard about Pap smear test . Conclusion : More than half of participants had poor knowledge regard pap smear test ; due to this reason , the females in Taif city should be informed about the disease and encouraged to do cervical screening (Pap smear test and endovaginal sonography) and to perform HPV vaccination.