Attitudes of women toward for early diagnosis of cervical cancer: health responsibility and associated factors

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of women toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer, and the relationship between these attitudes, and health responsibility and some factors. Materials and Methods: This study was performed with 662 women aged 21 to 65. The Descriptive Characteristics Form, Attitude Scale for Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II-Health Responsibility Subscale were used for data collection. Results: In the present study, it was detected that perceived susceptibility of women were at moderate levels while their perceived severity, barriers and benefits were at low levels. A negative correlation was detected between Health Responsibility and Perceived Susceptibility Among the significant variables that impact attitudes toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer are women's individual and some obstetric characteristics, their health responsibility. Conclusion: The participating women's perceived susceptibility of attitudes toward early diagnosis of cervical women was at a moderate level while their perceived severity, barriers and benefits were at a low level. Age, educational attainment, income level, presenting to the clinic for regular gynecological examinations and history of gynecological cancer in the family were some factors that had an impact on the health responsibility and attitudes of the participating women toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer. In the light of these findings, evidence-based, individualized nursing services such as physical and psychosocial care, training and consultancy can be planned to improve women's attitudes toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer.