The utilization of Pap tests among different female medical personnel: A nationwide study in Taiwan

• 57.7% of the female medical personnel had received a Pap test in 2008–2010.
• Pap-test rates were highest for pharmacists (58.1%) and nurses (58.0%) and lowest for physicians (48.6%).
• Female medical personnel not having received Pap tests were older, had chronic diseases, and so on.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to clarify the conditions under which female medical personnel receive Pap tests and the influencing factors associated with not receiving Pap tests.MethodsData from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan were analyzed. There were a total of 142,123 subjects: 5,196 physicians, 13,366 pharmacists, and 123,561 nurses.ResultsOf the subjects, 57.7% had received a Pap test in 2008–2010. Pap-test rates were highest for pharmacists (58.1%) and nurses (58.0%) and lowest for physicians (48.6%). After adjustment for age, having visited an obstetrics/gynecology clinic, gynecological disease, chronic disease, major illnesses, occupational diseases/injuries, and cancer, subjects were less likely to have received a Pap test if they were older, had visited an obstetric/gynecological clinic, or had gynecological diseases or major illnesses. Pharmacists and nurses who had occupational diseases/injuries and chronic diseases and nurses who had had cancer were less likely to have received a Pap test.ConclusionHopefully, by highlighting the factors associated with lower likelihood of receiving Pap tests, the study findings will increase self-awareness among female medical personnel, improving their rate of Pap-test participation.