First trial of cervical cytology in healthy women of urban Laos using by self-sampling instrument.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Laos women and a screening programme, even with the PAP smear test (PAP test), has yet to be established for routine use. The Pap test is accepted as the most appropriate for cervical cancer screening in some settings but it is not commonly available in Laos hospitals, because there are few cytopathologists and gynecologists have little experience. As a pilot program, seminars for the PAP test were given in 2007 and 2008, and then PAP tests were carried out using self-sampling instrument (Kato's device) with 200 healthy volunteers in Setthathirath hospital, Laos, in 2008. The actual examination number was 196, divided into class I 104 (53.1%), class II 85 (43.3%), class IIIa 4 (2.0%), class IIIb 1 (0.5%), and class V 1 (0.5%) by modified Papanicolau classification. Four cases had menstruation. There were 6 cases with epithelial cell abnormalities including malignancy. There were 7 cases with fungus and 2 cases with trichomonas in Class II. More than 70% volunteers felt comfortable with the Kato's device and wanted to use it next time, because of the avoidance of the embarrassment and a low cost as compared with pelvic examination by gynecologists. This first trial for PAP test for healthy Laos women related to a hospital found three percent to have abnormal cervical epithelial cells. Therefore, this appraoch using a self-sampling device suggests that it should be planned for cervical cancer prevention in Laos.

Experience with a self-administered device for cervical cancer screening by Thai women with different educational backgrounds.

BACKGROUND: This descriptive study was carried out to test the acceptability of a self-administered device for cervical cancer screening and assess certain risk factors in relation to the cancer in two districts of Khon Kaen province in Northeast Thailand. METHODS: A total of 354 women from the villages were selected (including 143 teachers from secondary and primary schools; 24 health officers from the rural health centres, and 37 nurses from the University Hospital, Khon Kaen University). The Kato device was introduced and used by the women, who were then asked to give their opinion on its usage. RESULTS: The Kato device was generally well accepted by the women. However, many of those with a higher educational background were more sceptical towards the device than their counterparts from the villages. CONCLUSIONS: A suitable approach to strengthen the control of cervical cancer in the rural areas of Thailand might be to introduce the Kato device as an integral part of primary health care. The introduction of the device should go along with health education on the importance of avoiding infection with the papilloma viruses. This message should be transmitted to both females and males.