The Effect of Motivational Interviewing Based on the COM-B Model on Women’s Cervical Cancer Health Beliefs and Participation in Screening: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Screening and early diagnosis for cervical cancer are essential to reducing morbidity and mortality; however, participation in cancer screening remains inadequate. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of motivational interviewing based on the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior) model on women's cervical cancer health beliefs and participation in screening. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: The study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial and conducted between February 12 and November 12, 2024. The sample consisted of 68 women aged 30-65. The intervention group received COM-B model-based motivational interviewing in 4 sessions, including 1 face-to-face meeting and 3 telephone calls. RESULTS: The median scores of the "Health Motivation" and "Barriers to Pap Smear Tests" subscales of the "Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test" changed statistically significantly over time from pretest to posttest. Following the intervention, women in the intervention group had higher participation in cervical cancer screening compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, the COM-B model-based motivational interviewing program increased perceived health motivation and participation in cervical cancer screening while reducing perceived barriers to Pap smear tests. IMPLICATIONS FOR ONCOLOGY NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses could adopt a motivational interviewing approach to increase women's participation in cervical cancer screening. The COM-B model may also serve as an effective framework for promoting changes in cancer screening behaviors. Future large-scale implementation studies are recommended to assess feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and broader applicability of this approach.