RESUMO
The aim of this work was to evaluate the validity of acetic acid visual inspection as easy, cheap, cost-effective, cancer cervix-screening method compared with Pap smear screening test. Moreover, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of counseling on the women's awareness regarding cervical cancer and its early screening measures. A quasi experimental study was done at the Cancer Early Detection Unit in Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital. Data were collected for three days/week. A systematic random sample approach was used. The third of women attending for cervical cancer screening was included in the study. Those who already diagnosed pregnant or had cervical or genital cancer were excluded from the study. The number of women reached 660 women by the end of the year. Structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, attitude rating scale and a follow up card were used for data collection. A brochure containing counseling points was given to each woman after the counseling session. A pilot study was done and excluded from the results. Pap smear and acetic acid visual screening tests were done twice [at the initial screening visit and after six moths for negative cases supervised by the medical team]. The study concluded that acetic acid method was more sensitive than Pap smear. Also, counseling had positively affected the women's knowledge and attitudes