Table 3.
Frequency with percentages of agree/strongly agree of the Health Belief Model questions for study participant responses (n = 27), and those responding to ever had a Pap test (n = 7)
| Strongly/ agree; n = 27 (%) |
Strongly/ agree; n = 7 (%) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Perceived susceptibility | ||
| I am not at risk for cervical cancer | 9 (33.3) | 1 (14.3) |
| Cervical cancer only happens to women over 50 |
4 (14.8) | 0 (0.0) |
| Young women are at risk for cervical cancer |
5 (18.5) | 0 (0.0) |
| Perceived seriousness | ||
| Cervical cancer is not as serious as other types of cancer |
9 (33.3) | 3 (42.9) |
| Cervical cancer is easily cured | 10 (37.0) | 3 (42.9) |
| Having cervical cancer would make a woman’s life very difficult |
9 (33.3) | 4 (57.1) |
| There are effective treatments for cervical cancer |
11 (40.7) | 3 (42.9) |
| Perceived benefits | ||
| The Pap test can find cervical changes before they become cancer |
13 (48.1) | 4 (57.1) |
| It is important for a woman to have a Pap test so she will know if she is healthy |
9 (33.3) | 3 (42.9) |
| If cervical changes are found early, they are easily curable |
14 (51.9) | 5 (71.4) |
| Perceived barriers | ||
| Only women who have had babies need a Pap test |
8 (29.6) | 1 (14.3) |
| Getting a Pap test would only make me worry |
7 (25.9) | 1 (14.3) |
| My partner (boyfriend/husband) would not want me to have a Pap test |
5 (18.5) | 0 (0.0) |
| If a young unmarried woman goes for a Pap smear, everyone will assume she is having sex |
7 (25.9) | 2 (28.6) |
| The Pap test is painful | 11 (40.7) | 6 (85.7) |
| I don’t know where I could go if I wanted a Pap test |
6 (23.0) | 2 (28.6) |
| It is too expensive to have a Pap test | 8 (29.6) | 2 (28.6) |
| It is too embarrassing to have a Pap test |
6 (22.2) | 3 (42.9) |
| If a woman has not had sex, a Pap test will take away her virginity |
8 (29.6) | 2 (28.6) |
| Most young unmarried women that I know go to have Pap smears done |
7 (25.9) | 3 (42.9) |