Cervical cancer screening in Kolkata, India: Beliefs and predictors of cervical cancer screening among women attending a women’s health clinic in Kolkata, India

Background. Proportionally, India has the highest mortality from cervical cancer in the world. Methods. A 2nd-year medical student recruited 299 women from a gynecology clinic in Kolkata, India who completed a questionnaire assessing demographic information; health care history; Pap test utilization; and knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about cervical cancer and screening. Results. A total of 10% had received a Pap test at least once. Most women reported “limited” to “no” knowledge of cervical cancer (84%) and the Pap test (95%). Age (P<.013) and perceived knowledge of a Pap test (P<0.001) were significant predictors of first-time screening. Conclusions. Findings suggest a need to increase cervical cancer awareness in the community and to develop community-based screening programs.