Mohammad Ibnu Walid and Muhammad Noh in The Brunei Times

SALLY PIRI

BRUNEI-MUARA

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Our Medicine graduates,
 Mohammad Ibnu Walid (L) and Muhammad Noh (R)

AWARENESS on the importance of pap smear screening in Brunei is low amid the world's concern on the high number of cervical cancer which is the second most common malignancy in women.

This was part of the outcome of a research prepared by two graduate students of the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS), Mohammad Noh Hj Latip and Muhamad Ibnu Walid Hj Adi. 

Both presented the paper on "Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes on Pap Smear Tests among Bruneians" during a session of the 9th Biennial International Nursing Conference at Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.

"The knowledge on risk factors, prevention and symptoms of cervical cancer are poor and therefore intervention in increasing this knowledge need to be emphasised," said Muhamad Ibnu, adding that awareness regarding the importance of pap smear screening from both male and female population need further improvement.

They conducted a survey using a structured self-administered questionnaire to 368 people 165 of which are male respondents. All respondents were Bruneians or permanent residents between the age of 18 to 60 years old and mentally competent.

Mohammad Noh said that more than 10 per cent of the women respondents were not aware that pap smear screening is provided in the Sultanate. The figures of male respondents who were unaware were higher.

"People should be aware that pap smear screening does exist here and they should have adequate knowledge on the importance of the screening as cervical cancer is dangerous among women," Mohammad Noh said.

Both students agree that it is important to involve men in the effort to raise the awareness on pap smear tests as under family paternalistic culture, men play important roles on decision-making.

According to their survey, 20.8 per cent of women and 38.7 per cent of men are afraid of the screening test. Also, 49.5 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men said that unmarried women do not need to undergo a pap smear test. Meanwhile, 67.3 per cent women and 62.8 per cent men have the perception that pap smear tests can cause loss of virginity.

Both stressed on the need for married women to go for pap smear tests.