Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop an explanatory model to predict factors related to continuous
participation in the Pap smear screening among Korean women.
A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of Health Belief Model and extensive review of literature on
the Pap smear screening. Exogeneous variables included in this model were knowledge, perceived sensitivity,
perceived severity, negative and positive emotional responses and professional support from physicians and
nurses. Endogeneous variables were threat to cervical cancer, perceived benefit of the Pap smear screening, perceived
barrier, and the final outcome variable was continuous participation in the Pap smear screening.
The hypothetical model was tested with an empirical study. The data was collected from 623 married
women whose age range was 24 - 83 using a self-reported survey questionnaire which was developed by the
researcher. It's Cronbach's alpha score ranged from .6478 to .9118. Data was collected at different locations
in Seoul; a university hospital, a local health center, and apartment complexes.
Data analysis was done using SPSS 7.5 WIN Program for descriptive statistics and LISREL 8.12a WIN
Program for covariance structural analysis.
In conclusion, threat, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, positive emotion and professional support had a
significant direct effect on continuous participation in the Pap smear screening among Korean women. The
results of this study also showed that perceived barrier had the most significant direct effect on continuous
participation in the Pap smear screening while negative emotional response had the most significant direct
effect on perceived barrier. It can be suggested that decreasing perceived barrier by reducing negative
emotional responses may be the most effective strategies for increasing continuous participation in the Pap
smear screening among married Korean women.