Cervical Cancer Screening in the Municipality of Nicosia, Cyprus - Coverage and Association with Socioeconomic Determinants

The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of Pap smear use among the women in Nicosia and to identify the factors associated with Pap test’s performance. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of 525 women living in the municipality of Nicosia in 2014. Prevalence Ratios (PR) of Pap smear use were calculated. Information about demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors was collected. About 81% had at least one Pap test in their life, with 70% having been tested in the previous three years. Women aged 25-64 were more likely to have had a recent Pap test than women aged 20-24. Furthermore, married/partnered women, employed women, women with higher education were more likely to have had a recent Pap test. Compared to women with a monthly household income of >1000?, those with lower income were less likely to have had a recent Pap test. Finally non-Cypriot women are less likely to have had a recent Pap test than Cypriot females. The prevalence of Pap testing in Nicosia is high. However, efforts to establish a cervical cancer screening in Cyprus should be planned and implemented in the framework of a comprehensive cancer control program taking into account overall health care needs and priorities emphasizing mainly in women with socioeconomic disadvantages.