Table 2.
Correct Responses of Participants to the Possible Signs and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer in Relation to the Perceived Cancer Cervix Risk
| Possible signs | Perceived risk and Correct | Responses: no. (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below average (n=253) | Average risk (n=162) | Above average risk (n=91) | Total (n=506) | P value* | |
| 1- Vaginal bleeding between periods | 114 (45.1) | 63 (38.9) | 59 (64.8) | 236(46.6) | 0.002 |
| 2- Persistent lower back pain | 62 (24.5) | 35 (21.6) | 22 (24.2) | 119(23.5) | 0.828 |
| 3- Persistent vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant | 86 (34.0) | 35 (21.6) | 26 (28.6) | 147(29.1) | 0.11 |
| 4- Discomfort or pain during sex | 69 (27.3) | 32 (19.8) | 36 (39.6) | 137(27.1) | 0.018 |
| 5- Menstrual periods that are heavier or longer than usual | 109 (43.1) | 48 (29.6) | 43 (42.3) | 200(39.5) | 0.003 |
| 6- Vaginal bleeding after the menopause | 127 (50.2) | 60 (37.0) | 58 (63.7) | 245(48.4) | 0.001 |
| 7- Persistent pelvic pain | 74 (29.2) | 41 (25.3) | 23 (25.3) | 138(27.3) | 0.607 |
| 8- Vaginal bleeding during or after sex | 55 (21.7) | 26 (16.0) | 32 (35.2) | 113(22.3) | 0.001 |
| 9- Blood in the stool or urine | 43 (17.0) | 25 (15.4) | 18 (19.8) | 86(17.0) | 0.533 |
| 10- Unexplained weight loss | 70 (27.7) | 45 (27.8) | 33 (36.3) | 148(29.2) | 0.5 |
| Total Score (total=10 points) | |||||
| Mean ±SD | 5.5±2.3 | 5.6±2.2 | 6.3±2.1 | 5.7±2.2 | 0.018** |
| Median (IQR) | 5.0 (3.0-7.0) | 5.00 (3.0-7.0) | 6.0 (3.0-8.0) | 6.0(3.0-7.0) | |
| Risk factors | |||||
| 1- Infection with HPV (human papilloma virus) | 39 (15.4) | 39 (24.1) | 16 (17.6) | 0.001 | |
| 2- Smoking any cigarettes at all | 159 (62.8) | 87 (53.7) | 37 (40.7) | 0.001 | |
| 3- Having a weakened immune system! | 175 (69.2) | 103 (63.6) | 45 (49.5) | 0.001 | |
| 4- Long term use of the contraceptive pill | 152 (60.1) | 98 (60.5) | 57 (62.6) | 0.91 | |
| 5- Infection with Chlamydia (a sexually transmitted infection) | 35 (13.8) | 39 (24.1) | 19 (20.9) | 0.001 | |
| 6- Starting to have sex at a young age (before age 17) | 29 (11.5) | 14 (8.6) | 9 (9.9) | 0.647 | |
| 7- Having many sexual partners | 34 (13.4) | 19 (11.7) | 7 (7.7) | 0.105 | |
| 8- Having many children | 134 (53.0) | 91 (56.2) | 43 (47.3) | 0.279 | |
| 9- Not going for regular screening tests | 185 (73.1) | 106 (65.4) | 78 (85.7) | 0.001 | |
| Total score (out of 9 points): | |||||
| Mean ±SD | 3.73±1.76 | 3.78±2.19 | 3.70±2.11 | ||
| Median (IQR) | 4.0 (2.5-4.5) | 4.0 (2.0-5.0) | 0.156** | ||
HIV/AIDS, immunosuppressant drugs or having a transplant;
*
Chi square test for independence;
**
Kruskal Wallis test; IQR, interquartile range