Instrument for describing beliefs related to cervical cancer

Abstract

Undergoing a Pap smear is influenced, among other factors, by women's beliefs about the test. Having a scientifically validated instrument that allows us to understand this reality is a useful tool for social and health science professionals, as well as for undergraduate and graduate students in related university programs. The objective of this study is to develop an instrument to describe the dimensions of the health belief model among women from Cienfuegos. The research design is cross-sectional and descriptive with a quantitative approach. Two non-purposive samples were used. The first consisted of 13 professors from the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos, and the second comprised 19 women from Cienfuegos. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 15. The results show that, of the aspects evaluated by the experts regarding the instrument (semi-structured interview guide), 62.5% were rated as very adequate and only 37.5% as quite adequate. 92.6% of the items were evaluated with scores between 4 and 5, and the calculated standard deviations were less than 1, indicating agreement among most of the experts' assessments. It is concluded that the semi-structured interview guide is of sufficient quality and relevance for studying health beliefs related to cervical cancer and the Pap smear test.