Background: The aim of the study was to determine risk factors for cervical cancer for women in Izmir.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive field covered a population of 4319 women of reproductive age (15-49)
(household registration in the Mukhtar’s office-2007). A total of 1,637 women were included in the sample given a
four-part questionnaire through face-to-face interview by visiting the women in their homes in order to determine
socio-demographic factors, obstetric history, genital hygiene and the use of family planning methods. In addition,
during the data collection process, the women were given group training in order to raise awareness of cervical
cancer. The number and percentage distributions of the data were calculated. Results: While the average age
of the women was 31.9±9.77 (Min: 15.00-Max: 49.00), education level of 43.4% of them was elementary school
only. It was determined that 70.3% of the women experienced at least one pregnancy, 71.0% had vaginal delivery
and 75.9% used a contraceptive method. In the study it was determined that among the cervical cancer related
risks vaginal delivery, vaginal lavage and having three or more pregnancies had the highest rates, while having
sexual intercourse before 16 years of age and having more than one sexual partner constituted lower rates. The
rate of the women who stated not having a smear in the last three years was 82.4%. Conclusions: Considering
the case in terms of having Pap smear test, women’s awareness on the risk factors and early diagnosis of cervical
cancer was found to be low. Due to this reason, awareness of women has to be raised through education.