Women who came back for PAP smear screening in rural areas in
Thailand
S. Jivasak-Apimas1, C. Leelapatanadit1, A. Otani4, O. Kiriwat1, S.
Wisessak3, S. Marumdee2, K. Chiravacharadej1
1Siriraj Reproductive Health
Research Center, Department of OB GYN, Facul. Med. Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University,
Bangkok, Thailand, 2Provincial Public Health Office, Suphanburi Province,
Thailand, 3Provincial Public Health Office, Chaiyapoom Province, Thailand,
4Project HOPE, Bangkok, Thailand
Introduction Cervical cancer screening is a
preventive measure to surveillance women from developing cervical cancer.. In
Thailand the incidence of cervical cancer has reduced from 20.9/100,000 in 1999
to 19.5/100,000 in 2005, however, prevalence of screening and regular screening
is still low country wide. Motivation for regular screening among women in
remote area has been rare. An Educational Programme on cervical prevention has
been implemented in 4 districts each of two provinces in 2001 with financial
support from Project HOPE, Thailand to sensitise women’s knowledge about the
screening.
Objective The objective of this report was to look at results and
characteristics of women who had regular screening in the implemented areas.
Methodology Educational materials were developed, and trainings to strengthen
capacity of health and medical personnel in the two provinces were carried out.
Reports about activities of the programme were reported elsewhere,China, 2002,
Spain, 2003 and Malaysia 2005. Health officers who are stationed in the
community health premises were standardized their Pap smear taken before
starting the programme. The target population was women aged 17-72 years old. So
far about 60,000 women received the tests. By December 2004 5906 screenings were
done for women who came back to have their tests.
Results Ninety percent of women were 30
years old and over and with primary education or less. Most of them were engaged
in farm work or casual labour work, 88% with income of less than 8000 Baht per
month, (200 US$), 89%.The average living children was 2. All women had previous
normal Pap smear result. 99% of women thought that yearly screening was not a
burden and 33% of women would decline to accept the male provider. 93% of women
recommended the test to friends. 92.% of women had normal result, and the rest
had inflammation. 13 of 5906 women had abnormal results, 5 for HPV and 8 for CIN,
which constituted 0.22%.
Conclusion It is likely that experienced women would
come back for the regular screening, and they are more likely to have normal or
mildly serious results. Strong counselling for regular screening should be
emphasized to surveillance women from developing invasive cervical cancer.