Effects of a cognition-emotion focused program to increase public participation in Papanicolaou smear screening

Despite high incidence rates of cervical cancer in Korea, Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are not utilized as a preventive behavior. This study examined the effects of an emotion-cognition focused program on the decision of taking Pap tests in Korean women.

A non-equivalent control group post-test only design was utilized.

A convenience sample was randomly assigned to either experimental (N=48) or control group (N=48) after matching for education and age.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test, Champion's Health Belief Model, and Self-Efficacy Scale were used. Intention and stage of adoption to take a Pap test were measured with single items.

Women in the experimental group had significantly higher scores on knowledge of cervical cancer (t=6.99, p<.001) and perceived benefits of Pap tests (t=2.91, p<.05), lower scores on procedural (t=-2.45, p<.05) and cognitive (t=-2.66, p<.01) barriers to testing. Improvement in self-efficacy (t=3.38, p<.01), strong intention to have the test (t=2.99, p<.01), and advanced stages of behavior adoption (chi2=12.93, p<.01) were also found.

Women's perspectives, attitudes of health care practitioners, and clinical environment need to be considered if change is to happen in women's preventive behavior related to Pap test screening.