Predictors of Papanicolaou testing in working women in Bangkok, Thailand.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death among women in Thailand. A significant number of Thai women have never received cervical cancer screening. This study examined the perceived susceptibility, benefits, and barriers that influence Papanicolaou testing and examined the relationships between socioeconomic factors and obtaining a Papanicolaou test among women working in 1 government agency and 3 private sector companies in Bangkok, Thailand. The Health Belief Model was used to guide the cross-sectional design of the study. The Susceptibility, Benefits, and Barriers Scale was mailed to 300 working women. The response rate to the survey was 63% (N = 189). Logistic regression analysis showed that perceived barriers were significant predictors of Papanicolaou testing (beta = -.13, P < .001). Women who reported barriers were significantly less likely to obtain a Papanicolaou test (odds ratio, 0.88; P < .001). The specific barriers to engaging in Papanicolaou testing were embarrassment, fear, time constraints, knowledge deficits, and cost. Marital status, age, education, and family income were other factors related to Papanicolaou testing. Findings suggest that screening rates may be improved by addressing a combination of research, health policy, and cultural factors in these women through a nationwide campaign.

Resourcefulness and self-care in pregnant women with HIV.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused suffering in the lives of humans worldwide. Pregnant Thai women now constitute the fastest-growing segment of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Few studies have looked at self-care or resourcefulness among pregnant women with HIV. Using Rosenbaum's theory of learned resourcefulness, this study examined the direct effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care as well as the mediating effects of resourcefulness on depression and self-care. A model testing study with 153 pregnant Thai women compared the effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care in HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. Regression analyses indicated direct effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care. The effect of depression on prenatal self-care was mediated by resourcefulness. HIV status did not predict prenatal self-care. The findings on the relationships of depression, resourcefulness, and prenatal self-care can help nurses provide effective services to pregnant Thai women, including counseling on self-care.

Psychometric properties of the self-control schedule: Thai version.

The psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Self-Control Schedule (SCS), a measure of learned resourcefulness, were examined. Data were collected from 77 pregnant women who were HIV positive and 103 pregnant women who were HIV negative. Back-translation was completed, and agreement between the two content experts as determined by the Content Validity Index was 86%. To assure the equivalence of the translated SCS, English and Thai versions were completed by 16 bilinguals, and the two versions were found to correlate highly (r=.95; p<.01). Internal consistency reliability for the Thai version of the SCS was.81. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to establish construct validity. The results suggest that the Thai version of the SCS has promise for use with pregnant Thai women; however, modification of some items would improve its understandability and cross-cultural applicability. Further psychometric testing in larger and more diverse samples is recommended.