comparing the effects of individual and group training methods based on health belief model on the belief and practice of bushehr women regarding pap smear test

background & objectives: pap smear test is an effective screening method for diagnosis of cervical cancer. therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of individual and group trainings based on health belief model on belief and practice of bushehr women regarding pap smear test. methods: this controlled clinical trial study was performed on 150 women in three groups of; individual training, group training, and control group. the group training was performed in two sessions and personal training in one session. three groups received a training booklet on the first visit. data were collected by a questionnaire which was completed by three groups before training, one week, and three months after the training course. pap smear performance was evaluated at the beginning and three months later the intervention among three groups. the data were analyzed by spss software using appropriate statistical tests. results: before the study, three groups had no significant differences on all demographic variables and mean score of knowledge and all the constructs. the mean of knowledge (p<0.001) and barriers perceived (p<0.001) experienced significant variation after intervention among three examined groups. before the intervention, none of the participants had done the pap test but during the three-month follow-up period 42 (85.7%) in group training, 44 (91.7%) in individual training and 4 persons (8.2%) in control group did the pap test (p<0.001). conclusion: education based on health belief model to both individuals and groups training is effective to encourage women to do pap test. with regard to cost- effectiveness, implementation of group training seems to be more appropriate. keywords: pap smear test; cervical cancer; health belief model; group training; individual training.