The Effect of a Protection Motivation Program on Pap Smear Screening Among Muslim Women Health Volunteers

Abstract

                  Cervical cancer is a major public health problem that is inclined to increase. However, the rate of cervical cancer screening is inclined to decrease, especially in Muslim women groups. A quasi-experimental study aimed to study the effect of a protection motivation program on pap smear screening among Muslim women health volunteers. Sixty four of Muslim women health volunteers participated in this study, were equally randomized into a treatment or a control group.  The experimental group received a protection motivation program for pap smear screening 2 times and follow-up via telephone. The comparison group received cervical cancer documentation.  Data were collected by using questionnaires and were analyzed by using Paired t-test and Independent t-test.

                   The results indicated that the number of pap smear screening sample of the experimental group was higher than the comparison group, which accounted for 93.8 %. The experimental group had mean score of perceived severity regarded to cervical cancer, perceived probability regarded to cervical cancer, and self-efficacy expectancy toward behavior in cervical cancer prevention after receiving the program better than before receiving the program and comparison group.  The difference was statistically significant. (p<0.001) Findings suggested that protection motivation program on pap smear screening for Muslim women health volunteers could be applied to promote in pap smear screening among women in other communities.