The utilization of pap test services of women: A nationwide study in Taiwan

Background: Papanicolaou test (Pap test) is the most effective screening tool to prevent cervical cancer. In Taiwan, the National Health Insurance offers women older than 30 years free Pap test; however, the screening rate is merely 52.6%. Objective: The purposes of this study were to understand the status quo of Taiwanese women undertaking Pap test and to investigate relevant factors affecting women having Pap tests by applying Andersen's health-service utilization model. Methods: This study adopted data from the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2004 to 2008, in which 241 843 women having Pap tests were analyzed. Results: The following groups have a higher odds ratio of participating in Pap tests: indigenous women, low-income women, elderly women, women who visit obstetrics and gynecology departments more frequently, less urbanized women, women with less access to medical resources, women with severe diseases, disabled women, women with chronic illnesses, women with cancer, women with gynecological diseases, women with acute diseases who have longer length of hospital stay, and women with chronic diseases who have shorter length of hospital stay. Conclusion: This study provides the status quo and influential factors of women undergoing Pap tests. Implications for Practice: The results can assist medical personnel to offer appropriate information and intervention and can be a reference for making relevant health policies to raise the screening rates of Pap tests. © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.