Assessment of Health Beliefs and Motivations for Cervical Cancer Screening

Background and Aim: This study evaluated Turkish women's health beliefs and motivations for participating in cervical cancer screening using the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test (HBMS-CCPST). Although the HPV vaccine has proven effective, Turkey has not integrated it into the national health program, but it provides free HPV-DNA screenings for women at family health centers (FHCs). This study evaluated Turkish women's health beliefs and motivations for participating in cervical cancer screening using the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test (HBMS-CCPST) with the aim of understanding and enhancing screening uptake. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the family health centers in the Kartal and Pendik districts of Istanbul and involved women aged 30-65 years. The participants were randomly selected from the FHCs' 2023 lists. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, using a structured questionnaire based on the HBMS-CCPST. Results: A randomly selected sample of 422 women from 8003 registered FHCs was approached to participate; 354 agreed, 25 declined, and 43 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 44.58 years (range: 30-64), and 51% had previously undergone a smear test. Correlations were found between age and the total HBMS-CCPST score (r = -0.207, p = 0.001), perceived benefits (r = -0.106, p = 0.046), health motivation (r = -0.195, p = 0.001), and perceived barriers (r = 0.132, p = 0.013). Social security status influenced the HBMS-CCPST scores (p = 0.019), health motivation (p = 0.011), and perceived barriers (p = 0.002). Employment status affected the total score (p = 0.001), health motivation (p = 0.001), and perceived barriers (p = 0.001), with employed women showing higher health motivation and lower perceived barriers. Alcohol use and physical activity levels affected the total score (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively) and health motivation (p = 0.011 and p = 0.001, respectively). STD risk perception affected the HBMS-CCPST scores (p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and perceived barriers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors and daily habits significantly influenced the participants' health beliefs and motivations for cervical cancer screening.