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Predictors of papanicolaou smear use among American Samoan women

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Abstract

To explore the rate and predictors of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear use among American Samoans, we conducted a survey of 986 randomly selected adult, self-identified Samoan women in American Samoa (n=323), Hawaii (n=325), and Los Angeles (n=338). Only 46% of the women reported having Pap smears within the past 3 years. These women were more likely than others to reside in Hawaii (odds ratio [OR], 1.7), be less than 40 years of age (OR, 2.2), be married (OR, 1.9), have more than 12 years of formal education (OR, 2.1), have an income of more than $20,000 per year (OR, 1.6), have health insurance (OR, 1.6), and have higher acculturation levels (OR, 1.9). Knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer did not predict Pap smear screening. It is likely that the low rate of Pap smear screening contributes to the high site-specific incidence of cervical cancer among American Samoan women.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Center for Health Policy and Research, Department of Medicine, and Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, Calif

    Shiraz I. Mishra MD, PhD & F. Allan Hubbell MD, MSPH

  2. National Office of Samoan Affairs, Carson, Calif

    Pat H. Luce-Aoelua MS

Authors
  1. Shiraz I. Mishra MD, PhD
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  2. Pat H. Luce-Aoelua MS
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  3. F. Allan Hubbell MD, MSPH
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Additional information

This project was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (U01-CA-64434 and P30-CA-62203).

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Mishra, S.I., Luce-Aoelua, P.H. & Hubbell, F.A. Predictors of papanicolaou smear use among American Samoan women. J GEN INTERN MED 16, 320–324 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.00119.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.00119.x

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