PRESERVING WOMEN'S HEALTH: THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF GYNECOLOGICAL SCREENING EXAMINATIONS
Author(s)
Medárd Kaszás, BSc1, Réka Vajda, PhD2, József Betlehem, PhD3, Tímea Csákvári, PhD4, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD2, Diána Elmer, BSc, MSc, PhD5, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD1.
1University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 5Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary.
1University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 5Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess Hungarian women’s knowledge related to breast and cervical cancer, as well as their attitudes toward screening participation.
METHODS: The quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2025 and March 2026 using non-random convenience sampling. The target group included Hungarian women aged 45-65 years (N=263) who had no history of breast or cervical cancer and had not undergone mastectomy or hysterectomy. Data collection was carried out using an online self-administered questionnaire, which assessed knowledge level and screening attitudes in addition to socio-demographic data. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 25 software were used for data analysis. Descriptive and mathematical statistics (independent samples t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation) were performed (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 51.07 years (SD=4.77). Among respondents, 74.1% (n=195) lived in urban areas, while 55.5% (n=146) had higher education qualifications. Participants recognized an average of 5.61 (SD=2.74) out of ten breast cancer symptoms, 3.7 (SD=2.14) risk factors, and 4.96 (SD=1.9) out of nine cervical cancer risk factors. Women with higher knowledge levels demonstrated more favorable screening attitudes (p<0.001). A statistically significant association was found between identified causes of cervical cancer and breast cancer symptoms (r=0.525; p<0.001). Women with higher educational attainment recognized more breast cancer symptoms and risk factors (p<0.001), as well as cervical cancer risk factors (p=0.005), compared to those with lower education levels. Urban residents recognized more breast cancer symptoms (p=0.039) and risk factors (p=0.043) than women living in rural areas. Women who visited their general practitioner more frequently also attended mammography more often (χ2=5.159; p=0.023) and cervical cancer screening more frequently (χ2=17.782; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted that screening activity is determined by socio-demographic background and health behavior. Increasing participation requires targeted health education and addressing individual concerns.
METHODS: The quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2025 and March 2026 using non-random convenience sampling. The target group included Hungarian women aged 45-65 years (N=263) who had no history of breast or cervical cancer and had not undergone mastectomy or hysterectomy. Data collection was carried out using an online self-administered questionnaire, which assessed knowledge level and screening attitudes in addition to socio-demographic data. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 25 software were used for data analysis. Descriptive and mathematical statistics (independent samples t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation) were performed (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 51.07 years (SD=4.77). Among respondents, 74.1% (n=195) lived in urban areas, while 55.5% (n=146) had higher education qualifications. Participants recognized an average of 5.61 (SD=2.74) out of ten breast cancer symptoms, 3.7 (SD=2.14) risk factors, and 4.96 (SD=1.9) out of nine cervical cancer risk factors. Women with higher knowledge levels demonstrated more favorable screening attitudes (p<0.001). A statistically significant association was found between identified causes of cervical cancer and breast cancer symptoms (r=0.525; p<0.001). Women with higher educational attainment recognized more breast cancer symptoms and risk factors (p<0.001), as well as cervical cancer risk factors (p=0.005), compared to those with lower education levels. Urban residents recognized more breast cancer symptoms (p=0.039) and risk factors (p=0.043) than women living in rural areas. Women who visited their general practitioner more frequently also attended mammography more often (χ2=5.159; p=0.023) and cervical cancer screening more frequently (χ2=17.782; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted that screening activity is determined by socio-demographic background and health behavior. Increasing participation requires targeted health education and addressing individual concerns.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH33
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Reproductive & Sexual Health