Adherence to cancer screenings: Is the telephone survey a good method of investigation?

INTRODUCTION – In order to define subjective variables, the methodology on the assessment of the women participation to screening programs to prevent cervical cancer is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS – The study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered by telephone to a sample of women invited to screening, regardless of their real participation to the Pap test. The phone calls were made within 2 days prior to the Pap test session. The questionnaire contained 12 closed questions. RESULTS – We contacted a total of 1206 women: a total of 1100 women (93.70%) received the invitation letter and answered to the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS – The chosen procedure obtained a high percentage of women who agreed to be interviewed.