Assessing perceived benefits/barriers and self-efficacy for cervical cancer screening among Korean American women

ABSTRACT

A large proportion of Korean American women (KAW) do not receive regular cervical cancer screening. Self-report data from 102 KAW were analyzed by multiple linear regressions. As compared to women in action/maintenance, women in precontemplation/relapse stages were less likely to agree that a Pap test is important for health and were more likely to endorse barriers to testing (cost, not having a female doctor, preference for Korean medicine). Women in precontemplation/relapse stages also reported lower scores on self-efficacy items (travel large distances, pain perceptions, financial costs, and time). Differences in specific aspects may be informative for interventions to improve screening rates among KAW.