The effect of education given to women with hearing impairments on the behaviours of Pap smear screening

Objective The aim of the research was to determine the effect of education given to the women with hearing impairments on the behaviours of Pap smear test. Methods This study was a controlled trial study with longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 156 women (intervention = 78, control = 78) who registered in hearing-impaired associations in Izmir, Turkey. The education about cervical cancer and Pap smear test was given to intervention group with face-to-face interviews by using Turkish sign language. Three months later, the women were contacted and asked whether they have had a Pap smear test, and the total knowledge score of intervention groups was evaluated. Results There was not a statistically significant difference between the mean total score of knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test in intervention (0.6 +/- 1.6) and control (1.1 +/- 1.9) groups. After 3 months, having a Pap smear test was found to be statistically significantly higher between groups (intervention = 29.5%, control = %1.2), and the mean cervical cancer and Pap smear knowledge score of the intervention group (9.2 +/- 1.4) was found to be statistically significantly higher than the score before education (0.6 +/- 1.6). Conclusion Education of cervical cancer and Pap smear test increased knowledge level and behaviour of Pap smear test of the women.