Effects of Group Counseling Based on Health Belief Model on Cervical Cancer Screening Beliefs and Performance of Rural Women in Kaboudrahang, Iran

Objective: Pap smear test is an appropriate screening method for early diagnosis of cervical cancer and reduction of mortality. This study targeted effects of group counseling based on the Health Belief Model on cervical cancer screening practices of Iranian rural women. Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 rural women under coverage of the health care centers in rural areas in the city of Kabudrahang, Iran, in 2015. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire covering demographic information, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and screening performance. Data were collected using a multi-stage sampling method. Group counseling was conducted based on the Health Belief Model and the GATHER steps in three sessions for the intervention group. Counseling included an introduction to cervical cancer, disease symptoms, warning signs and prevention approaches. Pap smear testing in both intervention and control groups was evaluated two months after the group counseling. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between both groups in the HBM constructs and performance. After the intervention, a significant difference was seen in the perceived susceptibility (P<0.001), severity (P=006), benefits (P=012), barriers (P<0.001), and self-efficacy (P=002). Two months after the intervention, 17 patients (42.5%) in the intervention group, and 4 patients (10%) in the control group had undergone a Pap smear test (P<0.001). Conclusion: Design and implementation of counseling programs based on the HBM can modify the beliefs of rural women regarding cervical cancer screening and increase their performance.

Effects of Group Counseling on Self-care Behaviors in Menopausal Women with Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is a chronic disease which is common in menopause period. Performing self-care behaviors is effective method for control of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of counseling on self-care behaviors in menopause diabetes women in 2016 in Hamadan, Iran. METHODS: In this study, 80 menopausal women were randomly selected and allocated to the experimental and control groups (40 per group). Data collected by a questionnaire included of demographic information, self-care behaviors, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). In the experimental group, training program was run during four sessions in the form of weekly group consulting sessions. During this period, the control group only received routine cares. Three months after intervention (group consultation) self-care behaviors, FBS and HbA1c were compared between two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. RESULTS: The self-care score in the experimental group increased from 49.6 ± 12.2 before the intervention to 66.6 ± 9.3 after the intervention (P < 0.05). Also in the control group average of self-care score changed from 57.6 ± 11.5 to 62.0 ± 11.6 (P < 0.05). Three months after the group consultation, there was a significant difference between two groups in the dimensions of diet (P = 0.013), exercise (P = 0.009) and foot care (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, FBS decreased from 148.8 ± 62.4 mg/dL to 128.9 ± 46.3 mg/dL. Also, HbA1c changed from 7.2 ± 1.8 g/dL to 6.8 ± 1.6 g/dL three months after intervention (P = 0.058). No significant changes were observed in FBS and HbA1c in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that group counseling promoted self-care behaviors and metabolic indices in menopausal diabetic patients.