Benefits and barriers of pap smear screening: differences in perceptions of Vietnamese American women by stage.

Low participation in Papanicolaou screening among Vietnamese American women remains a significant public health problem. This study explored differences in the perceived benefits of and barriers to obtaining Papanicolaou smears within the framework of the transtheoretical model stages of readiness. A descriptive, cross-sectional design with snowball sampling was used to recruit 80 Vietnamese American women. The self-administered questionnaire included a Demographic Questionnaire, Cervical Cancer Screening Stage Questionnaire, and Benefits/Barriers Scale. Results suggest that knowledge of cervical cancer, awareness of screening programs, and availability of female physicians play important roles in the transition from precontemplation to maintenance within the transtheoretical model framework.