The Effect of Training Based on Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) on Rural Females’ Participation in Pap smear

Background: Decision making for adopting a health behavior is a process involving passing through different stages. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the decision-making stages based on Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) in Pap test in rural women. Methods: This study was conducted implementing a quasi-experimental method. The participants were divided into two groups as experimental and control groups using the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) among 180 rural females in Sarvabad. In treating the experimental group, the methods of lecturing with question and answer, playing videos, specialized consulting and pamphlet were used. The data gathering tool included a questionnaire consisting a demographic variables and variables affecting the stages of PAPM. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney, chi-square and descriptive statistical methods. Results: The results showed that 45% of the participants found their way to the sixth stage, i.e., practice stage (doing Pap smear). In comparison of the means of the scores of psychological variables affecting the decision process in Pap smear test, there was a significant relationship between the experimental and control groups based on Mann-Whitney test and control groups based on variables, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy and awareness. But the perceived severity was not statistically significant. Chance of entering the sixth stage in the intervention group was 2.5 times higher than the control group. Conclusions: Females for Pap smear at the same stage of the decision were not on the same basis. Thus, educational interventions should be done at each stage.