Cervical Cancer Screening Knowledge and Practices Among Women in Basra

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global public health issue, ranking as the third most common cancer among women worldwide. Specific Background: Effective prevention relies on adequate knowledge and the willingness to undergo screening, yet data on these aspects remain limited in many low-resource settings. Knowledge Gap: In southern Iraq, particularly Basra, little is known about women's awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening. Aim: This study aimed to assess women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward cervical cancer screening in primary healthcare centers in Basra. Results: A randomized descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 women aged ≥20 years using systematic and random sampling across 12 health centers. Only 10.5% demonstrated good knowledge, and 2.75% had undergone a Pap smear, with 31.1% citing social media as their main information source. A significant association was found between knowledge and variables such as age, education, employment, and family history of cancer. Despite low screening rates, 62.75% exhibited a positive attitude. Novelty: This study is among the few in Iraq to explore the multifactorial dimensions of cervical cancer screening behavior. Implications: The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health education interventions to improve screening uptake and correct misconceptions among women in underserved regions. Highlights: Low cervical cancer screening and knowledge among women in Basra. Assess knowledge, attitudes, practices toward cervical cancer screening. Poor knowledge, low screening rates, but positive attitudes observed. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Cervical Cancer Screening Test, Women