Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Health Literacy Levels of Married Women.

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive and relational study is to investigate the relationship between cervical cancer knowledge and self-efficacy and health literacy levels of married women aged 18-65years. The study sample consisted of 400 married women (18-65years old) who presented to a family health center. Independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics; dependent variables were cancer knowledge, self-efficacy, and health literacy level. Of the participants, 67% had a Pap smear. The participants' median knowledge score was 13 (min-max=1-21). As the age increased, so did the knowledge score (p=0.001). The secondary school graduates had the lowest knowledge level (p=0.009). The participants' self-efficacy level was moderate (83.18±7.70). As the educational status increased, so did their self-efficacy. Of the participants, 55.2% had a health literacy level of 7th-8th grade. The health literacy level was lower among the literate, primary school graduate, and advanced-age participants (p=0.000). Increases in the self-efficacy and health literacy levels of the participants positively affected their knowledge status. The participants' cervical cancer and Pap smear screening knowledge levels increased as their self-efficacy levels increased. The literate or primary school graduate participants had the self-efficacy and health literacy levels.