Evaluation of health beliefs of women about cervical cancer and screening

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the health beliefs of women about their attitudes and behaviors about cervical cancer and screening. Method: This prospective study included 360 women who met the study criteria and applied to Düzce University Health Practice and Research Center Family Medicine Polyclinic between January - March 2019 Data were collected using 'Information Form' and 'Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test Health Belief Model Scale'. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with SPSS v.22 package program. Independent Samples t test, Mann-Whitney U, One-Way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate the data. Results: The mean age of the participants was 42,54 ± 10,13 (min: 20-max: 65). 37.2% of the participants had never had a Pap smear test before and 35.1% stated that they did not have the test because they did not need the test or any complain. Having Pap smear tests rates were higher in participants with cervical cancer in / around the family than in those without. There was no statistically significant difference between the marital status, social security status, reasons for having Pap smear test and subscale scores (p> 0.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between the participants' mean scores on Pap smear benefit /motivation, Pap smear barriers and cervical cancer health motivation subscale scores, age groups, occupational groups, cervical cancer and Pap smear test status (p <0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the mean score of Pap smear benefit / motivation and Pap smear barriers subscale scores of the participants and the level of education, place of residence and the reason for not taking the Pap smear test (p <0.05). Conclusion: In the study; as the knowledge level of the participants in cervical cancer and screening increased, their tendency towards positive health behaviors increased. Therefore, training programs should be organized and disseminated. Keywords: Health belief model, cervical cancer, pap smear test