ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The epidemiological situation regarding cervical carcinoma in Serbia is rather unfavorable and one of contributing factors is the insufficient interest of women concerning the risk factors responsible for occurrence of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the sources of relevant information for women METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was used for questioning of patients, students and women undergoing systematic examinations. There were 600 women in total in 2006, 2009 and 2010, and the data were statistically processed by the χ 2 test with Yates correction and the Fisher test. RESULTS: When observed for certain groups of tested women, and summed up for all three periods, there was a statistically significant difference for the answer "without any knowledge" (p=0.0001). When observed for certain years and summed up for all three tested groups, there was a statistically significant difference in answers regarding the source of information, the "doctor" (p=0.0011), "media" (p=0.0349) and "encyclopedia-internet" (p=0.0136). CONCLUSION: The media are a dominant source of information for women on risk factors for cervical cancer. The significance of the Internet increased during the three observed periods, while the students considered themselves least informed of all concerning risk factors.
