Skip to main content
Health Services Research logoLink to Health Services Research
. 1991 Apr;26(1):97–107.

The accuracy of Pap smear utilization self-report: a methodological consideration in cervical screening research.

J A Bowman 1, S Redman 1, J A Dickinson 1, R Gibberd 1, R W Sanson-Fisher 1
PMCID: PMC1069812  PMID: 2016170

Abstract

One method used to determine utilization rates of cervical screening is women's self-report. Few studies have assessed the accuracy of this measure--none has been conducted in Australia--although there are a number of reasons for suspecting its validity. This study examined and quantified the accuracy of self-report of Pap smear use among a randomly selected sample of women from an Australian community. Accuracy of Pap smear utilization self-report within a three-year period was assessed by comparison with pathology records. Results indicated that almost half of the women who have not had Pap smears within three years will be missed by a self-report measure of utilization. Some implications for the measurement and use of self-report data are discussed.

Full text

PDF
102

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Armstrong B. K., Rouse I. L., Butler T. L. Cervical cytology in Western Australia. Frequency, geographical and socioeconomic distributions and providers of the service. Med J Aust. 1986 Mar 3;144(5):239–247. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1986.tb115885.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Dickinson J. A., Leeder S. R., Sanson-Fisher R. W. Frequency of cervical smear-tests among patients of general practitioners. Med J Aust. 1988 Feb 1;148(3):128–131. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb112772.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Hendershot G. E. Screening for cervical cancer, 1973-1976. Am J Public Health. 1981 Aug;71(8):851–852. doi: 10.2105/ajph.71.8.851. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Howe H. L., Bzduch H. Recency of Pap smear screening: a multivariate model. Public Health Rep. 1987 May-Jun;102(3):295–301. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Kegeles S. S. Attitudes and behavior of the public regarding cervical cytology: current findings and new directions for research. J Chronic Dis. 1967 Nov-Dec;20(11):911–922. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(67)90027-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Kegeles S. S., Kirscht J. P., Haefner D. P., Rosenstock I. M. Survey of beliefs about cancer detection and taking Papanicolaou tests. Public Health Rep. 1965 Sep;80(9):815–823. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Kleinman J. C., Kopstein A. Who is being screened for cervical cancer? Am J Public Health. 1981 Jan;71(1):73–76. doi: 10.2105/ajph.71.1.73. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Misczynski M., Stern E. Detection of cervical and breast cancer: a community-based pilot study. Med Care. 1979 Mar;17(3):304–313. doi: 10.1097/00005650-197903000-00008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Mitchell H., Medley G. Age trends in Pap smear usage, 1971-1986. Community Health Stud. 1987;11(3):183–185. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1987.tb00003.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Parkin D. M., Collins W., Clayden A. D. Cervical cytology screening in two Yorkshire areas: pattern of service. Public Health. 1981 Nov;95(6):311–321. doi: 10.1016/s0033-3506(81)80003-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Teitelbaum M. A., Weisman C. S., Klassen A. C., Celentano D. Pap testing intervals. Specialty differences in physicians' recommendations in relation to women's pap testing behavior. Med Care. 1988 Jun;26(6):607–618. doi: 10.1097/00005650-198806000-00009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Walter S. D., Clarke E. A., Hatcher J., Stitt L. W. A comparison of physician and patient reports of Pap smear histories. J Clin Epidemiol. 1988;41(4):401–410. doi: 10.1016/0895-4356(88)90148-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Warnecke R. B., Graham S. Characteristics of blacks obtaining Papanicolaou smears. Cancer. 1976 Apr;37(4):2015–2025. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197604)37:4<2015::aid-cncr2820370453>3.0.co;2-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Webb G. R., Bowman J. A., Sanson-Fisher R. W. Studies of child safety restraint use in motor vehicles--some methodological considerations. Accid Anal Prev. 1988 Apr;20(2):109–115. doi: 10.1016/0001-4575(88)90026-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Health Services Research are provided here courtesy of Health Research & Educational Trust

RESOURCES