Evaluation of Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Pap Spear Test of Working Women by Health Belief Model

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify awareness and beliefs of working women regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear test.

Methods: The data of the study designed in sectional and descriptive style were collected between June-August, 2017. The study was conducted on a total of 120 married women with no cervical cancer history, who were working in the Provincial Tax Directorate and volunteered to participate in the research. Forms containing identifying information about women and Health Belief Model scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap smear test were used.

Results: The mean age of the women was 39.5 +/- 9.02 years and 59.2% of them had undergone a Pap smear test. Sub-dimensional score averages of the working women were at medium level. While cervical cancer sensitivity score was found to be higher in women with familial history of cervical cancer and in those with higher levels of income, Pap smear benefit and motivation score was found to be higher in women who had sufficient knowledge about early diagnosis methods (p<0.05). While women's knowledge on gynecologic cancer and gynecological examinations increased Pap smear behavior by three times on average, women's age increased pap smear behavior by about one fold.

Conclusion: Women with a high level of education did not have sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer. Pap smear test benefit, sensitivity, seriousness and health motivation score averages of these women should be elevated and their barrier perception score average should be decreased. Training of working women at workplace should be supported.