The Effect of Education on Women’s Practice Based on the Health Belief Model About Pap Smear Test

Introduction: cervical cancer is the most common gynecologicalcancer in iran. the single most effective tool in reducing deathdue to cervical cancer is the use of pap smear as a screening tool.therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectivenessof education based on health belief model about giving pap smearin women.methods: this quasi-experimental study was performed on 70women who referred to two health center in kouhdasht (lorestan-iran). the samples were randomly divided in two groups (35in intervention group and 35 in control group). the data werecollected by a validated and reliable questionnaire. interventionswere run based on health belief model during three sessionsonly for intervention group. each educational session was for45–60 min. the independent t-test and paired t-test were used toanalyze data. a two-tailed p value lower than 0.05 was consideredstatistically significant.result: according to results, the mean scores of knowledgewere significantly different between two groups after intervention(p < 0.001). the mean scores of the model variables (perceivedsusceptibility and severity, perceived benefits, and barriers) hadno significant difference in the two groups before intervention,but after intervention had significant difference between the twogroups (p < 0.001).conclusion: designing and executing health education programsbased on health belief model can promote the practice of womenregarding to pap smear tests.