Abstract
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 0Æ62 to
0Æ86, and test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0Æ79 to 0Æ87 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.
Keywords: cervical cancer, Health Belief Model Scale, instrument development,
nursing, Pap Smear Test, psychometric testing