Conclusion Our three-stage nursing intervention was effective for increasing participation in Pap smear testing. We confirmed that cervical cancer knowledge, health beliefs, social-demographic, and cultural characteristics were influential factors. Education through brochures may be effective when the aim is to reach a large number of women and increase screening of women with little or no knowledge of cervical cancer screening. However, providing information on the telephone, explaining the importance of the matter, and making a personal invitation can be effective in decreasing barriers