Barriers to Women’s Pap Smear Testing and Related Risk Factors in Turkey

Objective: This study aimed to identify the barriers to women’s Pap smear testing and related risk factors. Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 294 women were included by stratified random sampling. The General Information Questionnaire, The Self-Efficacy Scale, The Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer, and the Pap Smear Test were used. Results: About half of the women (47.6%) had a Pap smear test in their lifetime. Residing in a village/non-provincial district (OR = 0.412), not having a Pap smear test because family members/friends did not have one (OR = 7.752), having high Barriers subscale scores (OR = 1.053), and having lower self-efficacy levels (OR = 0.951) were found to be risk factors for not having a Pap smear test. In addition, not knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer, believing that the cervical cancer is a non-treatable condition, expecting to experience vaginal infection, not being able to get permission from her husband, and considering the test as embarrassing were found among the barriers (p < 0.005). Conclusion: A well designed health education program focusing on cervical cancer and the benefits of screening would increase awareness, especially among women with a high educational attainment status. Public health nurses and midwives should provide health educations considering the local cultural environment. To improve access to health services, mobile health services need to be developed, and in hospitals, routine Pap smear test health educations should be conducted and guidance should be provided.

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