Transcript A source of Error in Self-Reports of Pap Test Utilization

A source of Error in
Self-Reports of Pap
Test Utilization
Judith Pizarro, Tamera Schneider & Peter Salovey
Yale University
Health, Emotion, and Behavior Laboratory
Department of Psychology
Introduction
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Cervical Cancer can be prevented by early
detection of cellular abnormalities and
treatment.
The Pap test can reliably detect precancerous conditions that are nearly 100 %
curable.
88% of U.S. women report obtaining Pap
tests.
Cervical Cancer is still a common cancer.
Background
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Health care providers depend on selfreport histories.
Typically, women over-report having
had a Pap smear.
Self-report of Pap test utilization is
less accurate than self-report for other
types of screening tests, such as
mammography.
Goal of Research
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To explore in a sample of lowincome and minority women
whether women over-report Pap
testing because other
gynecological procedures are
mistaken for it.
Participants
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Number of study participants
– 161
Age
– ranged from 18-86 (Mean = 38)
Ethnicity
– African American 61% , Latina 25 %,
Caucasian 9%, and Other 5%
Education
– the typical participant had completed high
school but had not attended college
Average Income
– $7,200 per year
Method
Coding Medical Data
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We coded data from women’s medical
records into one of four categories.
– 1. No Pap test or other gynecological procedure
was obtained.
– 2. Some gynecological procedure was
performed that did not require the use of a
speculum.
– 3. A procedure requiring the use of a speculum
was performed (e.g., STD test, visual
inspection), but no Pap test was obtained.
– 4. A Pap test was obtained.
Results
Percent Correct
Concordance between Patient Self-Report
and Medical Records of Pap Test.
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Pap Test
No
Procedure
Medical Record
Other Gyn
Procedure
Discussion
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As in previous research,
participants over-reported
receiving Pap tests.
Pap self-report accuracy increases
when the procedure is explained.
Educating women is key to reduce
the number of lives lost to
cervical cancer.