Predictors of Pap Smear Screening Behavior Among Rural Women in Tabriz, Iran: An Application of Health Belief Model

In order to increase the acceptance level of the cervical cancer screening behavior among women, understanding the associated factors of the behavior is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cognitive determinants of Pap smear screening (PSS) behaviors among rural women in Tabriz, Iran. In this cross sectional study, multistage random sampling was employed to recruit 220 rural women in Tabriz, Iran. A valid and reliable health behavior model (HBM)-based instrument was completed by all the respondents. The odds ratio of perceived benefits in multivariable was 1.18 (1.08 - 1.27) i.e. with one unit increase in perceived benefits, odds cervical cancer screening behavior 18% increases, and age = 0.94 (0.91 - 0.98) i.e. with one unit increase in age, odds cervical cancer screening behavior 6% decreases were statistically significant. The HBM was promising in determining the cognitive predictors of PSS behavior. Healthcare providers may specifically focus on perceived benefits and perceived barriers for designing PSS promotion interventions.