Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices Related to Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccination Among Women in Iraq: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Background & Objective: Cervical cancer is still considered a major health problem in several developing nations. In Iraq, cervical cancer is still an alarming threat due to the absence of high coverage for Pap smears and HPV vaccination. This study was conducted with aims to examine the level of awareness, attitude, and practices related to cervical cancer screening in Iraq. Materials & Methods: cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November ۲۰۲۴. Participants were selected from all Iraqi governorates. Six hundred sixty women between the ages of ۱۸ and ۶۵ participated in this study. An already validated questionnaire in Arabic language was used to collect data on demographics, knowledge about cervical cancer, Pap smear, and HPV vaccine. All statistical analyses were conducted using the Jamovi statistical software (version ۲.۳). P<۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: Cervical-cancer-related knowledge was mostly poor (۸۱%). Only ۱۶.۲% had ever undergone a Pap smear; ۴.۸% reported prior HPV testing; ۲۱.۴% had heard of the HPV vaccine, and uptake was ۱.۲%. Higher education was associated with better knowledge (P=۰.۰۱). Pap-smear uptake was linked to awareness of cervical cancer (P<۰.۰۰۱), knowing that Pap smears enable early detection (P<۰.۰۰۱), and fewer perceived barriers (P<۰.۰۰۱) based on multivariable regression analysis. Conclusion: Preventive measures for cervical cancer in Iraq still fall woefully short. Raising awareness levels, inclusion of the HPV vaccine within the national immunization schedule, and implementation of organized screening programs via the primary healthcare system is crucial.

کلیدواژه ها:

cervical cancer ، Pap smear ، HPV vaccination ، Screening ، public health policy ، low-resource setting