Expectations and intentions of health behaviours as factors determinating performance of preventive Pap smear among women aged over 45

Objective: Cervical cancer is an illness where the women aged 45 and older are the most exposed to and they care about prevention of cervical cancer too little. Based on Health Action Process Approach by Schwarzer, the aim of this study was to find the predictors that determine the participation in health-promoting activitie concerning cervical cancer prevention: having regular Pap smear. We wanted verify which variables (expectations concerning self efficacy, threat of cancer disease, results of activity and intention of oncological health prevention behaviour) are different to women with different level of involvement in having preventive Pap smear.

Material and methods: 244 women aged over 45 have participated in the research. Survey methods i.e. Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) by Schwarzer i Jerusalem, Health Behaviour Questionnaie (based on Health Action Process Approach) by Mariańczyk as well as Personal Information Sheet for collecting social-demographic data have been employed.

Results: Answers concerning expectations and intention given by groups of women distinguished by a diffrent level of involvement in having preventive Pap smear have been compared: group “C–” – women who don’t undertake regular Pap smear, group “C+” – women who are engaged in regular Pap smear. Significant differences have been observed between groups C– and C+ in following areas: expectations concerning results of activity, expectations concerning self efficacy and intention of oncological health prevention behaviours. Detailed analysis of intention allowed to expand factors that helping women to engaged in this health activity.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that expectations and intention of health behaviours have a great impact on participation in cervical cancer preventive examination among women aged over 45. Hence those factors should be taken into consideration in building pro-health motivation, in encouraging women to involve in process of health care e.g. prophylaxis of cervical cancer.