Cognitive Factors and Health Literacy as Determinants of Pap smear Screening among Married Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Pap smear screening is one of the most effective methods for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer in women, thereby preventing complications. Hence, this research aimed to investigate cognitive factors and health literacy as determinants of Pap smear screening among married women.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted between June to October ۲۰۲۳ in Sarab, Iran. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruitment of ۲۵۹ participants. The inclusion criteria were women who were not pregnant, had been married for at least three years and had given their consent to participate in this study. The city of Sarab includes four health centers, each of which was considered as a cluster. To measure the data, valid and reliable instruments of Health Literacy (HL) for Iranian Adults (HELIA), Perceived barriers and Self-efficacy as cognitive factors were used. P-value less than ۰.۰۵ was considered significant.Results: According to the results, significant differences in the Pap smear screening behavior by age groups (p-value < ۰.۰۰۱), history of urinary infection (p-value < ۰.۰۰۱) and number of children (p-value = ۰.۰۲۰). The differences in Pap smear screening by perceived barriers as cognitive factor was statistically significant (p-value < ۰.۰۰۱). Logistic regression analysis showed two variables with significant odds ratios. The participants who perceived fewer barriers (OR= ۰.۸۶۷; ۹۵% CI = ۰.۸۱۹, ۰.۹۱۷), and higher level of self-efficacy (OR= ۰.۹۴۱; ۹۵% CI= ۸۹۰, ۰.۹۹۵) to perform the test were more likely to have a Pap smear screening in the previous three years. Conclusion: According to the results, it is suggested to health care providers focus on these factors to design the intervention programs in health centers in order to Pap smear screening behavior for married women based on cognitive factors including perceived barriers, self-efficacy and HL

کلیدواژه ها:

Cognitive Factors ، Health Literacy ، Pap smear Screening ، Iran