An-Najah Staff

Background: This retrospective study was performed at the Family Practice clinic, Nablus, in the West Bank/Palestine. The objective of the study was to determine pattern and factors influencing pap smear test, and involved 201 women visiting the clinic for different gynecologic problems during the year 2002. Methods: We analyzed the records of all patients who had pap smear done during this period, categorizing their age, occupation, level of education, their obstetric history including number of deliveries, methods of contraception, and menstrual period regularity. Results: About 12% of the study sample had abnormal (precursors of cervical cancer) results and the majority (88%) had normal and benign changes. There was no statistically