KEENGGANAN WANITA USIA SUBUR (WUS) MELAKUKAN PAP SMEAR TINJAUAN TEORI HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

Background: In Indonesia, the mortality caused by cervical cancer is relatively high because most patients seek treatment after an advanced stage. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is the main trigger of cervical cancer. Pap smear is early detection that effectively lowers the incidence and mortality rate. However, the number of Women of the Childbearing Age (WUS) who are reluctant to carry out pap smears remains high. Women's awareness regarding cervical cancer prevention is still inadequate. Research Purposes: The study aimed to explore factors related to WUS's reluctance to perform pap smears, reviewed with the Health Belief Model (HBM) theory. Method: This research is descriptive with a qualitative approach through structured interviews. Respondents were all WUS in Griya Salaman Asri Housing, Magelang, Central Java, willing to participate in this study. Interviews were conducted using an interview guide compiled based on HBM constructs. Data were analyzed with content analysis. Result: 26 respondents were interviewed. Most respondents indicated reluctance to do a pap smear (73%). Their reluctance is mainly based on perceptions of obstacles regarding the high cost of the test, less confidence because of fear, shame, and did not entirely trust the health workers. Conclusion: Intervention strategies against factors that affect reluctance to do pap smears can be done through sharing, education, consultation, and free pap smear programs.