Construct validity
Table 1 shows the results of the factor analysis. Five factors
with an eigenvalue >1 were extracted, with 45Æ79% of the
variance explained. Factor 1 accounted for 15Æ70% of the
variance and represented all items of the benefits scale and
four items from the health motivation scale. The items related
to the Benefits of Pap Smear Test addressed the best way to
achieve early diagnosis, treatment not being that bad,
decreasing chances of dying from cervical cancer. One item
(benefit 18: ‘If I have a smear test regularly and the result is
good, I don’t need to worry too much about cervical cancer’)
was deleted because of a loading lower than 0Æ30. The
remaining four items in factor 1 related to general concern
about health. Factor 2 accounted for 12Æ38% of the variance,
represented all 14 items of Barriers Subscale, and included
items related to concerns about cervical cancer, understanding
what is going to happen, knowing how to arrange a Pap Smear
Test, rudeness of the personnel, pain, embarrassment, time,