Effects of training based on the health belief model on Iranian women’s performance about cervical screening: A systematic review and meta-analysis

 Pap smear test is one of the most important actions in preventing cervical cancer. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis on all related literature about the effects of health belief model (HBM)-based training on Pap smear screening test performance of Iranian women.

The search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria were limited to English and Persian language articles with experimental or semi-experimental methods until October 2019 that evaluated the effect of HBM-based training on Iranian women’s performance of Pap smear test. We excluded studies that used both cervical and breast cancer screening together.

Twelve studies were performed on totally 1605 participants. This meta-analysis showed that all of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs improved significantly among HBM-based trained women, perceived susceptibility (standard mean division [SMD] =0.785; P = 0.002; confidence interval [CI] = 0.005 to 1.56; Heterogeneity; P = 0.013; I2 = 97%)., perceived severity (SMD = 1.14; P = 0.001; CI = 0.66–1.62; heterogeneity; P < 0.001; I2 = 92%), perceived benefits (SMD = 1.25; P = 0.001; CI = 0.545–0.135 heterogeneity; P = 0.003; I2 = 97%), perceived barrier (SMD = 0.20; P = 0.001; CI = 0.44–1.24; heterogeneity; P < 0.001; I2 = 92%) and perceived self-efficacy (SMD = 0.638; P < 0.001; CI =1.76–0.426; heterogeneity; P < 0.001; I2 = 97%).

Cervical screening education program based on the HBM can be effective on Iranian women’s performance in their perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barrier, and perceived self-efficacy about Pap smear test.