THE EFFECT OF GROUP COUNSELING ON CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN KABOUDARAHANG CITY, HAMADAN

Cervical cancer has got a high incidence and mortality rate, but the screening
program can detect it in early stages. This study aimed to determine the effect of group counseling on
knowledge and practice regarding cervical cancer screening in rural women.
Methods & Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 80 married women participated who were under
the coverage of Kabodarahang health centers in 2015. The participants were randomly allocated into
Intervention and Control groups. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of
demographic information, and the women’s knowledge and practice. Group intervention counseling was
held in three sessions, weekly, using GATHER steps in the intervention group. It includes consulting
about cervical cancer, its symptoms and prevention of cervical cancer. During this time, the control
group members had received only routine care. Two months after the intervention, women’s practice
about Pap smear test was evaluated in both groups.
Results: The mean knowledge score in the intervention group significantly increased from 52.72 before
intervention to 76/62 after intervention. No significant difference was observed concerning their
knowledge between the two groups before the intervention, but after intervention, the difference was
significant (P < 0.001). Two months after intervention, 17 women (42/5%) in the intervention group,
and 4 (10%) women in the control group (10%) underwent Pap smear test (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Design and implementation of counseling programs can increase awareness and
performance about cervical cancer in the rural women