[Use and determinants of Pap smear in a rural Colombian municipality 1998-1999].

OBJECTIVES

Determining the prevalence of Pap smear use and identifying the factors associated with Pap test performance.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out on volunteer women recruited from a local programme for detecting cervical cancer in Mogotes, Colombia. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated. Papanicolau smear use was the outcome being measured. Information about demographic characteristics, clinical factors, history of cancer in the family, lifestyle factors and using birth control methods was collected.

RESULTS

Pap smear use prevalence was 67.3%. Age group, using birth control methods (PR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7) and living in rural settings (PR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.8-1.0) were the factors associated with Pap test performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This data suggests that living in rural settings is associated with decreased opportunities for performing Pap tests.