Explanation of Pap Smear Preventive Behavior among Women Based on Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Study

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women. Although Pap smear test is an effective screening program, it is not conducted very frequently. This study aimed to recognize the determinants affecting women's participation in Pap smear test screening, with a qualitative approach, based on the health belief model (HBM).
This was a qualitative research, based on thematic analysis, conducted in 2015. Participants were 30 rural women who participated in this study voluntarily in Sarvabad County in Kurdestan Province in Iran. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants and sampling continued until data saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Based on participants’ perception, more of the women believed that they were not at risk for cervical cancer; however, they perceived the severity of the disease. Some of them did not have an adequate understanding of the test benefits. They pointed to financial difficulties, fear of test result and lack of awareness are the main barriers in taking Pap smear test.
Several factors affect women's participation in screening and Pap smear test. These factors include the components of social, economic, cultural, attitudes, individual beliefs, lack of awareness, fear, etc. Findings of this study could help health administers and planners in designing and implementing interventional programs such as theory-based educational programs, face-to-face educational classes, expert advice and speech of clergy people and influential community people to increase women’s participation in Pap smear test screening program.