Application of Health Belief Model and Social Support for Cervical Cancer Screening in Kudsaijor Sub- District, Kantarawichai District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the most common cause of mortality among women in Thailand. It is a preventable disease which could prevent through screening test. However, most of the target women ignored cervical cancer screening resulting in high risk of developing late state cancer. The objective of this study was to apply health belief model together with social support in the promotion of cervical cancer screening among women in Kudsaijar Sub-district, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham Province. A total of 80 women were purposively selected from population of women aged between 30- 60 years old; and were equally divided in to the experimental group and the control group. The health belief model for disease prevention and social support program were applied in the experimental group through a series of activities including health education on cervical cancer, village health volunteer performing supervision and home visits, the use of cancer patients as role models, rewards for good practice and the arrangement of mobile cervical cancer screening service into the community. Routine cervical cancer services were provided to the control group. Baseline data and the outcomes were collected between January and March 2012 by using questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test and independent t-test. It was found that both the experimental group and the control group were not different with regard to demographic and social characteristics. The background knowledge and attitude regarding cervical cancer and the screening test were at the medium level. At the end of the study, however, the experimental group had demonstrate significantly high level of knowledge and attitude on cervical cancer; and all participants (100.00%) had received cancer screening, whereas no change observed in the control group where only 2 women (5.00%) went for the cancer screening. Therefore, the application of health belief model for disease prevention and social supports was demonstrated to be an effective approach in promoting desirable health practice; and it should be further applied in other priority health areas.