The Role of Health Beliefs in Predicting Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening

Health beliefs play an important role in encouraging people to engage in behaviors related to health promotion. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of health beliefs in predicting barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Using convenience and random sampling, this cross-sectional study was conducted on 681 married women who referred to health centers of Bandar Abbas. The data collection tool was a questionnaire based on the health belief model. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and multivariate regression analysis. The results showed that 50.23% of subjects had previously had a Pap smear test. The mean intensity score and perceived benefits were higher in subjects who had had Pap smear compared to those who had not. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that benefits and perceived vulnerabilities were predictors of barriers to the Pap smear screening test. The health belief model, accordingly, appears to be useful in predicting barriers to cervical cancer screening.