The Effect of Educational Program Based on Protection Motivation Theory on the Performance of Pap Smear Test among Women Referring to Health Center in Fasa

Despite the importance of pap smear in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and dying from it, yet this cancer is as the most common cause of cancer death in women, particularly in developing countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of education based on the protection motivation theory on women performance about Pap smear test.
This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 200 women referred to fasa health centers and randomized in two experimental and control groups. The study data were collected using a valid questionnaire including demographic variables and PMT constructs which was completed by both groups before and 2 months after the intervention. Four educational session classes were performed with method of group discussion and educational pamphlets for the experimental group. The data were entered into the SPSS 22 and were analyzed using chi-square test and independent and paired t-test.
The findings of this study showed that the mean scores of PMT constructs (i.e. perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, fear, response-costs, self-efficacy, and intention) increased in the experimental group after the intervention (P The study results revealed the effectiveness of the educational intervention based on PMT to promote the behavior of Pap smear. Therefore, educational interventions based on this theory to health promotion, especially women, have been proposed.