Understanding Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major public health concern worldwide, with over 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths reported in 2022. Despite the World Health Organization’s Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, screening uptake remains suboptimal, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), CC ranks as the third most common cancer among women aged 15–44 years. This study assessed the awareness and attitudes of women residing in Ajman, UAE, toward cervical cancer screening (CCS). Results: A total of 830 women participated (mean age: 33.8 ± 8.2 years). Overall, 72.3% demonstrated good awareness of CCS, whereas 53.4% exhibited a negative attitude toward undergoing screening. Awareness was significantly associated with all attitude indicators (p < 0.001). Women with good awareness were more likely to express willingness to undergo CCS if offered free of cost (68.7% vs. 33.2%) and to recommend screening to others (82.1% vs. 45.8%). Healthcare professionals (51.3%) and media sources (37.2%) were the primary information channels. Education and employment status were significantly correlated with both awareness and attitude. Conclusion: Although most women in Ajman were aware of cervical cancer screening, negative attitudes and reluctance toward participation persisted. The observed awareness–attitude gap highlights the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive interventions that extend beyond information dissemination. Strengthening healthcare provider counseling, incorporating CCS into routine primary care, and providing cost-free or subsidized screening could improve participation and contribute to national cervical cancer prevention efforts in the UAE.