Asian American Journal of Psychology, Vol 15(3), Sep 2024, 196-204; doi:10.1037/aap0000324
In the United States, rates of cervical cancer screening among Asian American women (notably Korean American women) lag far behind other populations. Thus, guided by the health belief model, we developed a multicomponent intervention to enhance Korean American women’s knowledge and beliefs about screening and to increase screening uptake. The intervention group (N = 341) received a culturally relevant cancer education program and navigation services. The control group (N = 335) received a similar program on cervical cancer risk and screening, along with information about free/low-cost screening sites. Women’s knowledge and beliefs were measured at baseline and postprogram, and screening behavior was assessed at 12-month postprogram. It was hypothesized that the intervention would lead to positive changes in health beliefs and knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, which were then evaluated as potential mediators of the intervention on screening behavior. From pre- to post-program, the intervention group reported significantly greater increases in knowledge (p