Perceptual determinants of Pap test up-to-date status among minority women

To determine whether African American and Latina women were up-to-date on getting an annual Pap test and whether behavioral, normative, and control beliefs differed among women who were up-to-date versus women who were not.

Descriptive, correlational.

Urban, community-based agencies located within the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

204 African American and Latina women.

Data were collected using an investigator-developed questionnaire to measure behavioral, normative, and control beliefs, and a demographic assessment survey was used to measure up-to-date status.

African American women who were up-to-date on annual Pap tests were more likely to report behavioral beliefs about the characteristics and actions of the physician and were less concerned about the Pap test experience. They were more likely to report normative beliefs concerning the approval of their parents, friends, doctor, family, and mother. African American women also were more likely to report control beliefs concerning choice of a doctor and having access to screening and free screening. The women who were up-to-date were less concerned about needing information or reminders regarding annual screening than those who were not up-to-date. Latina women who were up-to-date on annual Pap tests were more likely to report behavioral beliefs about the benefits of Pap tests and were less concerned about the Pap test experience. They were more likely to report normative beliefs concerning the approval of their mother, doctor, parents, spouse/significant other, and friends. Latinas also were more likely to report control beliefs concerning the need for family assistance, have access to screening, receive reminders, and have a female doctor than those who were not up-to-date.

Differences within and between ethnic groups justify the need for culturally specific interventions and patient education geared toward promoting regular Pap test screening.