2014 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 86-94
This study set out, through anonymous questionnaires given to 38 women and college student participants pre and post program, to explore the effects of an educational program for cervical cancer prevention utilizing the Health Belief Model. It was found subjects benefitted fair knowledge of cervical cancer, laboratory screening procedure, and the purpose and effect of HPV vaccine through the program; there were significant improvements in the total score of the comprehension portion of the questionnaire post program (p<0.001). The increase in participants who responded 'I intend to have a laboratory screening' and the decrease in the 'I do not plan on having an HPV vaccination' response on the post program questionnaire suggests education helped foster preventive behaviors including cervical cancer screening. Six months post program it was possible to give 8 participants a follow up questionnaire. Of the 8, three had had Pap smear test without HPV vaccination. In interviews conducted one year later post program, participants expressed difficulties in preventive behaviors; Not having time for laboratory screenings and/or HPV vaccinations, being uncomfortable with gynecological exams, and cost for example. The educational program improved cervical cancer prevention awareness, but it is necessary to establish a more effective cervical cancer screening system in order to encourage cervical cancer preventive behaviors.
