The Health Belief Model and Cervical Cancer Examination Behavior of Women

Abstract

In many nations, cervical cancer is the second highest cause of mortality for women. Screening for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (IVA) is relatively safe and inexpensive, and the results are immediate. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers and benefits, and cues to action with IVA examination behavior of women of childbearing age. This was an observational study with a cross-sectional design. This study was conducted in Karangbesuki Village, Malang City. The sample size was 130 women of childbearing age who were selected by simple random sampling. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using multiple linear regression. All of the measured variables had a significant relationship with IVA examination behavior, namely perceived severity (b = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.24 to 1.39; p = 0.006), perceived susceptibility (b = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.61; p = 0.035), perceived barriers (b = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.66; p = 0.032), perceived benefits (b = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.08 to 1.33; p = 0.028), and cues to action (b = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.48; p = 0.016). Keywords: health belief model, visual inspection of acetic acid, behavior, examination