Cervical smears: comparison of knowledge and practice of a general practice sample with a high-risk group

Successful cervical screening programmes depend on the participation of an informed target population. A national cervical screening programme is shor tly to be introduced in the Republic of Ireland. We compare the knowledge, attitudes and practice of 395 Irish urban women with 323 high-risk women, g enitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic attenders. There was little difference i n knowledge between the 2 groups. Fifty-five per cent of the general practi ce (GP) sample and 45% of the GUM sample correctly identified the purpose o f a smear. Eighty-three per cent of both groups had had at least one smear but only 59% of the high-risk group had had a smear before attending the GU M clinic. Both groups expressed a preference for a female provider. Socio-e conomic grouping is the strongest predictor of knowledge and uptake of cerv ical smears and high-risk women were less likely to have opportunistic cerv ical smears. Information programmes to encourage participation in screening programmes must build on pre-existing knowledge and focus on the relevance and acceptability of the test.