Psychometric Properties of the Cervical Smear Belief Inventory for Chinese Women

Mixed methods in public health research in Taiwan - Using visual diagrams to communicate complex design procedures

Scholars introduce modern mixed methods research (MMR) and its application in public health research in Taiwan. Specifically, they showcase a multi-phased Taiwan cervical cancer screening mixed methods study using visual diagrams to communicate complex design procedures. While some previous researchers have incorporated quantitative and qualitative data in research, here we hope to provide significant clarity to guide those new to the MMR field. We have structured the article in the following way. First, we provide a brief overview of MMR. Second, we illustrate the compelling need for MMR from a public health perspective using cancer screenings as an example. Third, we introduce the Taiwan cervical cancer screening program as an exemplar of MMR application and the utility of visual diagrams. Study methodology can be applied to international researchers and scholars from interdisciplinary fields beyond public health.

Women with Cervical Cancer: Perceptions about the Papanicolau Test

Objective: Examine perceptions about the Papanicolaou (Pap) test from the perspectives of Chilean women with cervical cancer. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in Santiago, Chile. Participants: 127 Chilean women. Results: The principal reasons for not having had a PAP test were procrastination and barriers related to fear, embarrassment, discomfort, not caring, lack of time, and lack of knowledge. Conclusion: All the reasons given by the Chilean women who took part in the study must be considered by health care professionals who are in a position to advocate for education and cervical cancer screening for women, especially in countries where the disease is still prevalent. These results can serve as a guide for education programs and can be applied in intervention research.

Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test: psychometric testing

AIM

This study is a report of the development and psychometric testing of the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test.

BACKGROUND

While the Champion Health Belief Model scales have been tested extensively for breast cancer and screening for this, evaluation of these scales in explaining the beliefs of women with regard to cervical cancer and the Pap Smear Test has only received limited attention.

METHODS

This methodological research was carried out in Turkey in 2007. The data were collected with 237 randomly selected women who met the criteria for inclusion and agreed to participate in this study. The Champion Health Belief Model scales were translated into Turkish, adapted for cervical cancer, validated by professional experts, translated back into English and pilot-tested.

FINDINGS

Factor analysis yielded five factors: Pap smear benefits and health motivation, Pap smear barriers, seriousness, susceptibility and health motivation. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the five subscales ranged from 0·62 to 0·86, and test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0·79 to 0·87 for the subscales.

CONCLUSION

The Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test was found to be a valid and reliable tool in assessing the women's health beliefs. Understanding the beliefs of women in respect of cervical cancer and the Pap Smear Test will help healthcare professionals to develop more effective cervical cancer screening programmes.

Stage of adoption and impact of direct-mail communications with and without phone intervention on Chinese women's cervical smear screening behavior

BACKGROUND

The purposes of the study were to (1) assess the impact of direct-mail communications with and without phone intervention, and (2) examine the characteristics of women who were more likely to respond.

METHODS

Women were recruited from female family members of inpatients admitted to one of the major teaching hospitals in Taiwan (n = 424), and were randomly assigned into an intervention group, who received direct-mails and a phone follow-up, or a control group, who received placebo messages.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that women in the intervention group (ORadj. = 2.31) and contemplation stage (ORadj. = 4.18) were more likely to receive a screening at the end of the program. Among women in the intervention group, contemplators were 5.58 times more likely to receive a screening before the phone intervention (early adopters); and 40% of the screening adopters responded after the phone intervention (late adopters). Late and early adopters were similar in their stage, age, and education.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage and intervention are both significant predictors of screening adoption. The study provides justification for programs to target women in contemplation stage. It also suggests that the boost of a later phone intervention may be consequential for encouraging more women with similar demographics to take action.