Four hundred and ninety-nine women were interviewed who gave birth in the "L. Mangiagali" Obstetrics-Gynaecological Clinic between March and April 1989. 22% of these women had never had a Pap-test, 37% reported having had 1-2 cervical smears and 41% 3 or more. In the group of patients that contacted a private gynaecologist during pregnancy, the percentage of women who had never had a Pap-test was 18% versus 30% in the group of subjects followed in the public health service. Although pluriparas reported a greater number of Pap-test than primiparas, this difference was not statistically significant. Youth is significantly related to the probability of never having had a cervical smear. Social and economic factors were also clearly important. In particular, women with a low educational level represented the group with the highest risk for the lack of cervical screening. The role of the gynaecologist and preventive programmes aimed at the higher risk levels play an important role in terms of heightening awareness.