The Acceptability of Papanicolaou (Pap) Smear Among Female Government Workers of Ilocos Sur

Abstract

This study was conceived to determine the level of acceptability of Papanicolaou (PAP) Smear among female government workers of Ilocos Sur. Specifically, this study aimed to determine the respondents' socio economic profile, assess their reproductive health history and their level of acceptability of Pap smear. Likewise, it determined if there is a significant relationship between the respondents' level of Pap smear acceptability and the following variables: socio-economic factors and reproductive health history. The descriptive-correlational method was used. A questionnaire checklist was utilized in obtaining data from 771 female government workers in the different local government units and the Department of Education in Ilocos Sur. The study revealed that most of the respondents are married women at reproductive age (MWRA) at an average of 43, have attained baccalaureate degrees with a monthly income ranging P5,000-14,999 at a mean average of P10,281.60. These women generally have normal reproductive health history. They are still menstruating at an average of 26-30 days cycle, are sexually active, and are engaged in sexual contact at an average frequency of every other day, every 3 days andonce a week. The married ones generally have had 1-3 pregnancies and live births via normal spontaneous delivery at an average child/pregnancy spacing of every two years. History ofabortions, still births and ectopic pregnancies was not
apparent. The predominant contraceptive method used is the natural means. Most have not yet submitted themselves to Pap smear test but those who already hadwere subjected only once. Reproductive health-related discomforts prevalent among the respondents include low backache, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain even
without menstruation, delay in menstruation, itchy vulva, yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge. There is a "high" level of acceptability of PS among the respondents. They agree that PS is a valuable tool to lessen the increasing
number of cervical cancer, done by gynecologists and an important procedure to save a woman's life. PS is highly accepted because it is a simple test and does not require lots of preparation and it should be included as a part of the annual medical examination. It's highly recognized as accurate test to detect the presence of STD therefore, every woman (18years old and above) must submit for PS. Civil status, monthly income, frequency of sexual contact, previous experience of having PS Test significantly influenced the respondents' level of PS acceptability. On the other hand, age, educational status, presence of menstruation regardless of the cycle, number of pregnancies, live births, abortion, stillbirth, mode of child birth, pregnancy spacing, use of contraception and reproductive health-related discomforts do not significantly influence the level of acceptability of PS test.