THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PAP SMEAR AMONG LOCAL SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE SHARJAH DISTRICT.
A number of studies have attempted to determine what factors are associated with not participating in the screening for cervical cancer. One study about papanicolaou smear screening among urban South Western American Indian women showed that the limited access to health care and lack of knowledge about the procedure were important barriers to papanicolaou smear use. Another study, done among Korean-American women, showed that the most frequently cited reason for not having had a pap smear test was absence of disease symptoms.

Other studies showed that the most frequently reported reason for not having a recent papanicolaou smear was procrastinating or not believing it was necessary.

One of the objectives of this study was to explore why some women do not have a papanicolaou test. Given the least proportion (10.2%) of women in this study who reported they were refusing to have a pap test, there is clearly a need for such knowledge. The anticipated embarrassment of having a test and that is a painful procedure were two major barriers identified in his study, which represent 36.1%, 41.6% respectively.

16.6% of women had reported reason for not having a pap test believed they are healthy.

Feeling shy may be due to cultural influence and presumably has its basis in the women's experiences and in some other general attitudes. Clinicians need to acknowledge this as an important factor for some 

women, and make efforts to help overcome this when discussing cervical screening and taking the test. For some women, however it may be that familiarity with their clinician is a cause for embarrassment. To encourage cervical screening among this group it may be necessary to set up services where confidentiality is assured.

Conclusions
From the obtained data the following conclusions can be drawn:
1- The majority of respondent have had a good knowledge about pap smear but they are not practicing it very well. 
2- The major source of information about papanicolaou smear test is the Gynecologist.
3- Majority of women prefer to have their papanicolaou smear in Gynecology Clinic and would prefer the gynecologist to perform this procedure for them rather than the family physician.

Long term education should be started to provide the needed information, then impose positive external values, motivate the women population and facilitate taking pap smear through the primary health care centers in all Emirates because these clinics have the ability to spread the positive knowledge, attitude and practice. A clear policy is required to educate primary care physicians how to perform optimal screening.