Abstract
Background: Black women face cervical cancer disparities with higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared with White women. Identifying predictors of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing is a first step to decrease morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer, with barriers and self-efficacy being constructs that should be related to Pap testing adherence. Although barriers and self-efficacy scales have been developed, they have not been validated in Black women for Pap testing.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to modify and psychometrically test barriers and self-efficacy to Pap testing in a Black population.
Intervention/Methods: Data were collected from a minority health fair. Internal consistency reliability testing was conducted using item analysis and Cronbach's [alpha]. Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis and logistic regression. Papanicolaou testing adherence was regressed on each scale (barriers and self-efficacy) while controlling for antecedents.
Results: Data demonstrated 2 reliable scales: (1) barriers (Cronbach's [alpha] = .79), item-total correlation = 0.479 to 0.628; and (2) self-efficacy (Cronbach's [alpha] = .85), item-total correlation = 0.560 to 0.697. Exploratory factor analysis supported 2 unidimensional scales. The regression models supported a relationship between each scale and Pap testing adherence.
Conclusions: The data suggested barriers and self-efficacy scales were reliable and valid among Black women. Barriers and self-efficacy could be tailored in future interventions to increase Pap testing adherence.
Implications for Practice: Nurses could use responses to these scales for framing discussions about Pap testing.