Perception of women on cancer screening and sexual behavior in a rural area, Jamaica: Is there a public health problem?

BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Health in Jamaica recommends that cervical cancer screening be undergo by women 25-54 years old. The age range is based on international standards, but this is in need for revision based on the parish of St. Thomas. AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the perception and practice of Pap smear and the sexual practices of women in St. Thomas in order to aid policy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 210 women (15-54 years) from St. Thomas, Jamaica. RESULTS: Eighty eight percent of the sample had done a Pap smear and 24% indicated that they did this at least once every 12 months. The Pap smear results revealed that 83.2% of the sample was normal and 11.5% of the participants knew that their Pap smear was abnormal. Eighty percent of those with abnormal Pap smear were aged between 20-35 years. Sixty percent indicated that they did not believe they were infected with any STDs, but the Pap smear results showed that 76.4% of them had STDs. Eighty-three percent of the sample indicated having one sexual partner; 22.1% indicated that they began having sex before 15 years; 71% began having sex at 15-20 years; 76% of the sample used a condom and 12% reported that they had never practiced safe sex. CONCLUSION: This study finds that the age interval for conducting Pap smear screening should be lowered to 20 years for women in the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica.