Health beliefs and Pap smears among Thai women in Brisbane, Australia.

ABSTRACT

Although a number of studies have assessed the use of Pap smear among Thai women in Thailand, little is known about factors influencing the use of this cervical cancer screening among potentially high risk Thai migrant women. We related health belief model (HBM) factors and sociodemographic variables to the use of Pap smears among migrant Thai women in Brisbane, Australia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A snowball sampling method was used to recruit 145 women. Thirty-nine percent reported regular Pap smears. Summary HBM index and self-efficacy index were positively associated with Pap smears. Barriers to screening were negatively associated. The HBM appears to be a useful framework for planning cervical cancer prevention. Strategies that reduce barriers to the screening and increase the confidence of women and their self-efficacy are likely to increase their participation.