The Study of Pap Smear Conduction and its Related Factors Based on Health Belief Model in Women Referring to Health Care Centers in Qom

Pap smear is a screening test for diagnosing cervical cancer in women. It is considered a health and health-promotion behavior, and it has been shown that this test can prevent up to 60% of all deaths resulting from cervical cancer. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of this test and its related factors based on the health belief model in women referring to health centers in Qom.
In this cross-sectional study, 320 women who had health records and had referred to health centers in Qom in 2014 were selected using the multistage random sampling method and through following inclusion and exclusion criteria. A valid and reliable researcher- made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, awareness questions, and questions based on the health belief model was used for data collection. The data were finally analyzed by SPSS with 0.05 significance level.
11.25% of the subjects regularly underwent Pap smear screening, 51.87% irregularly participated in cervical cancer screening programs, and 36.88% did not undergo the tests. ANOVA results showed that the mean scores of the health belief model constructs were significantly different in terms of undergoing Pap smear screening (P The participants did not consider cervical cancer a serious disease. Even women who felt vulnerable tried to hide it. Therefore, while perceived vulnerability and perceived severity of the disease risk was low in them, they perceived more barriers and, for this reason, the level of utilization of Pap smear was undesirable.