Predictors of adherence to follow-up recommendations after an abnormal Pap smear among underserved inner-city women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify cognitive-affective predictors of adherence to initial diagnostic colposcopy and 6-month follow-up recommendations among underserved women.

METHODS: A secondary data analysis was completed of a randomized clinical trial assessing tailored telephone counseling for colposcopy adherence after an abnormal screening Pap smear among 210 underserved inner-city women.

RESULTS: Adherence to initial diagnostic colposcopy was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy (OR=1.504, 95% CI 1.021-2.216). Women with lower monitoring attentional style had significantly greater adherence to 6-month follow-up recommendations compared to women with higher monitoring scores (OR=0.785, 95% CI 0.659-0.935).

CONCLUSION: Increasing cervical cancer-related self-efficacy and tailoring cervical cancer risk communication to monitoring attentional style may help improve adherence to follow-up recommendations after an abnormal Pap smear test result.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Future research is needed to develop and implement psychosocial approaches to improving adherence to diagnostic colposcopy and follow-up recommendations adherence among underserved women.