In the cognitive interviews the content validity was evaluated to be very good. Validity and reliability of STAI was evaluated according to the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist by examining internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, floor and ceiling, construct validity and content validity. Further, STAI was sent out in an electronic questionnaire to women ( n = 109) seen at the gynecological department with abnormal cervical cancer screening test during 2018. Women ≥45 years referred with an abnormal cervical cytology and healthy volunteers ( n = 12) underwent cognitive interview after completing STAI. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of STAI - state anxiety scale in Danish women aged 45 years and older with abnormal cervical cancer screening results. However the Danish version of STAI has not been validated. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale was developed in the 1980’s and has been widely used both in clinical settings and in research.