[Health beliefs and performance regarding pap smear test in Zarandieh city women's]

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer is the commonest malignancy among women in developing countries. Pap smear is only one proven strategy for the prevention by diagnosis of cervical cancer. The assessment of Health Belief Model construct about the performance s of Pap smear Test and its effective factors among Women's urban centers in Zarandieh. This is a cross-sectional analytical study carried out with 265 Urban Women in Zarandieh. This survey was done by completing a questionnaire based on health belief model. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent samples t-test, logistic regression and descriptive statistics. The mean age of participants was 34.6 +/- 4.25 years, and the mean score of all the constructs in this group was higher than that in the group with no history of pap smear [P<0.001].The most common reasons for testing was recommendation by health workers [71%]. Among those who were never tested, low levels of perceived susceptibility [79%] were the most common barrier. Significant differences were detected between those tested and not tested in mean of score of all the variables HBM [sensitivity, benefits, barriers, threat and intensity perceived][p<0.001]. Based on the findings of this study, health care professionals must design educational program about cervical cancer in which both the benefits of Pap smear test and other HBM constructs including sensitivity are utilized