Prediction of factors affecting cervical cancer screening using the extended protection motivation model

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers of the female reproductive system. This cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women worldwide. Considering the importance of cervical cancer screening test (Pap smear) in early and timely diagnosis of cervical cancer, the present study aimed to determine the predictors of cervical cancer screening intention and behavior among Iranian women using the protection of motivation and The structure of emotional social support was performed. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۶۶۰ health volunteers above age ۲۰ years who were selected by Multi stage sampling methods was used. Women who were sexually active entered in the study. Data were collected by self-report multi stage questionnaire included perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, response efficiency, response cost, fear, intention, emotional social support and behavior were used to collect data. Data related to the descriptive part were analyzed using SPSS۲۶ software and the part related to path analysis was analyzed using AMOS۲۴ software. The mean age of participants was ۳۸.۲ ±۱۳.۷۷. Mean and standard deviation of perceived sensitivity variables, perceived severity were ۹.۵۱ ± ۲.۴۹,۱۳.۷ ±۳.۴۴ respectively. Based on the final fitted model, among the variables, the direct effect of intention on behavior and the direct effect of fear on intention were confirmed. perceived self-efficacy has the most indirect effect (through intention) on behavior, and also the indirect effect of response cost (through intention) on behavior was not confirmed. The results showed that perceived emotional social support have an indirect effect (through fear and intention) on behavior, but this effect was not confirmed for perceived sensitivity. Conclusion: Perceived self-efficacy is the strongest indirect predictor of behavior, which is better considered in intervention studies. According to the research findings, emotional social support has a direct and significant relationship with self-efficacy that can be considered to increase the structure of self-efficacy in planning and designing interventions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cervical cancer ، Screening ، Protection motivation theory ، Path analysis