Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although cervical cancer is a serious malignant disease that is linked to higher rates of mortality and morbidity, early detection through screening is essential to reduce its burden. Knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening is linked to positive practices and attitudes. This study aimed to determine the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of females toward cervical cancer and its screening tests in Kuwait. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among female patients aged 21 to 65 years attending primary healthcare centers and the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait in the period from June to August 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect responses. Descriptive and analytical results were reported. For all analyses, P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 1059 participants were included with an average age of 34.2 ± 10.5 years. Only 55% (n = 587) recognized Human papillomavirus as a risk factor for cervical cancer, 46% reported that cervical cancer can be prevented, and 41.9% (n = 440) heard about cervical cancer vaccine. Approximately two-thirds of patients reported willingness to do PAP smear (n = 706, 67.4%), but only 30.9% (n = 324) of them had done it. Participants aged more than 45 years (P < 0.001), working in health-related jobs (P < 0.001), and married patients (P < 0.001) were significantly more likely to hear about PAP smear testing than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Despite positive attitudes, most women in Kuwait had low knowledge and poor practices regarding cervical cancer screening. Educational sessions and campaigns are essential to improve screening uptake.