Increasing women's intentions to stop smoking following an abnormal cervical smear test result.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to assess the impact of two leaflets upon intentions to stop smoking in the next month in women receiving abnormal cervical smear test results.


METHODS
330 women smokers who received an abnormal smear test result were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group 1: sent a leaflet about the threat of cervical cancer from smoking and the benefits to cervical health in stopping, containing a detailed explanation of how smoking harms the cervix; Group 2: sent the same leaflet but without the detailed explanation; Group 3: no leaflet. Questionnaires were completed 1 month later.


RESULTS
Women in Group 1 had higher intentions to stop smoking compared with Group 3. This effect was mediated by perceived coherence of the link between smoking and cervical cancer and moderated by self-efficacy (confidence): only women with high levels of self-efficacy had higher intentions to stop smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Explaining the link between smoking and cervical cancer increases intentions to stop smoking in women receiving abnormal cervical smear test results. Further studies are needed to determine how self-efficacy can be increased and whether, in addition to the detailed leaflet, this increases rates of smoking cessation.
Bishop
Amanda J
AJ
Health Psychology Section (at Guy's), Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, 5th Floor, Thomas Guy House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
Marteau
Theresa M
TM
Hall
Sue
S
Kitchener
Henry
H
Hajek
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D006113:United Kingdom; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears