Do women in rural areas in Serbia rarely apply preventive practices for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy of women in Serbia. Standardized incidence rate is 27.2 per 100 000 women, while standardized mortality rate is 10.1, wich is the second in Europe. AIM The aim of the study is to examine the differences in the implementation of preventive practices for cervical cancer among women in rural and urban areas in Sebia. METHODS This staudy is conducted as a secondary analysis oif the National Health Survey of the Republic of Serbia in 2006. We analyzed chatracteristics of a total of 5314 women aged 25 to g5. RESULTS Analysis showed that women from rural areas rarely implement preventive practices which are important for early detection of cervical cancer, compared to women who live in urban areas. However, after controling the effects of education and socio-economic status, the difference is no longer significant. In urban areas women are more educated and wealthier, and it proves to be important when it comes to preventive practices CONCLUSION Women in rural areas in Serbia are at increased risk for cervical cancer, comparing to women in urban areas. A special attention and efforts should be invested to improve preventive gynecological practices of women in rural areas.