ANXIETY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN WOMEN WITH A LOW-GRADE ABNORMAL CERVICAL SMEAR TEST: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: The aims of the study were to quantify the levels of anxiety associated with having received a low-grade abnormal smear result, identify factors associated with increased levels of anxiety. Material and methods: One hundred consecutive women referred for colposcopy for ASC-US result. Women in the study group completed prior to colposcopy the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) which is a self-report inventory that consists of 14 items on two subscales. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with the psychosocial impact of the abnormal smear result were also assessed. Results: Having had children was a significant predictor of high anxiety scoring. Anxiety was significantly higher in women with low educational level. Women were educated 1-8 years were significantly more likely anxious. Conclusion: Interventions focus particularly on women's knowledge and understanding of smear results to reduce the adverse psychosocial impact of receiving an ASC-US cervical smear result.