Abstract
BackgroundCervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest cancer among women in Iran. Educational interventions based on the proper behavior promoting models can lead to early diagnosis of cervical cancer.This study aimed to investigate the effects of educational intervention on performing Pap smear tests based on the Theory of Planned Behavior among women living in Fasa, Iran.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 700 participants. Thereafter, the educational intervention based on the results of cross-sectional study was conducted in a workshop form for 50 women as the intervention group and 50 women as the control group. Afterward, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and then analyzed via logistic regressions analysis, paired t test, independent t test, chi-square test, and McNemar test.ResultAccording to the results, 45.7% of the patients had a history of performing a Pap smear test, and 20.7% of them regularly performed this test. The knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were the predictors of intention and behavior of Pap smear test among the women (P < 0.05). These components accounted for 57.4% and 31.6% of the intention and behavior variances, respectively. After the intervention, a significant increase was observed in the means of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in the intervention group compared to the control group. The results reveal no significant difference between these two groups regarding the behavioral intention (p = 0.41) and performance of the Pap smear test (p = 0.583). The number of the participants undergone the Pap smear test has increased from 10 to 26 in the intervention group by passing 3 months from the intervention. The results of McNemar test indicated that this difference was statistically significant.ConclusionThe results indicated an increase in the women’s performance of the Pap smear screening test by appropriate planning, provision of educational packages based on the women’s needs, and using effective subjective norms.Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials IRCT20160830029608N3:12/31/2018. “Retrospectively registered”.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest cancer among women in Iran
The results showed an increase in the intervention group’s knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms compared to the control group after the intervention, which promoted the consumption of fruits and vegetables [12]
Considering the importance of Pap smear screening for early detection of cancer cervix in women, the need for educational intervention to increase participation in performing this test, and due to the fact that no intervention study has been conducted in this regard in Fasa city so far, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational program on increasing cervical cancer screening behavior based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) among women in Fasa city, Fars province, Iran
Summary
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest cancer among women in Iran [1]. It is the most common cancer in developing countries. By the utilization of Pap smear test as a screening technique, the prevalence of cervical cancer has reduced by 79% up to now [4]. Performance of this test should be considered as a health policy for those sexually active women [5]. Benedet et al [6] maintained that the women undergone the Pap smear test more than 3 years ago and those who had not undergone the test at all, were at the highest risk for cervical cancer
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