Search

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a violence-prevention education program using empathy (VPEP-E) on elementary school students. This quasi-experimental design examined fifth-grade students' (a) empathy level, (b) perception of violence, and (c) permissive and negligent attitudes toward violence, using a pre- and post-test design. A total of 101 students participated: the experimental group (n = 48) received eight sessions of VPEP-E, whereas the control group (n = 53) received violence prevention education through classroom lectures. Significant differences were observed between the groups' empathy level (t = 6.81, p <.001), perception of violence (t = 2.79, p =.006), and permissive and negligent attitudes toward violence (t = -2.21, p =.030; t = -2.02, p =.046). Thus, a school-based VPEP-E may help elementary school students. Long-term studies evaluating behavioral changes from VPEP-E implementation are needed for establishing the effects on violent behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Time elapsed since pain onset might affect the likelihood of neuropathic component in low back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between neuropathic pain component and pain duration in patients with low back pain and to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain component. Methods: Patients with low back pain who received treatment at our clinic were enrolled. Neuropathic component was assessed using the painDETECT questionnaire at the initial visit. PainDETECT scores and the results for each item were compared according to pain duration category (< 3 months, 3 months to 1 year, 1 year to 3 years, 3 years to 10 years, and ≥ 10 years). A multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain component (painDETECT score ≥ 13) in low back pain. Results: A total of 1957 patients, including 255 patients who reported neuropathic‐like pain symptoms (13.0%), fully satisfied the study criteria for analysis. No significant correlation between painDETECT score and pain duration was observed (ρ = −0.025, p = 0.272), and there were no significant differences between median painDETECT score or trend of change in the proportion of patients with neuropathic component and the pain duration category (p = 0.307, p = 0.427, respectively). The electric shock‐like pain symptom was frequently reported in patients with acute low back pain, and the persistent pain pattern with slight fluctuations was predominant in chronic low back pain. The pattern of attacks with pain between them was much less common in patients with pain for 10 years or longer. Multivariate analysis revealed that a history of lumbar surgery, severe maximum pain, opioid use, lumbosacral radiculopathy, and sleep disturbance were significantly associated with a neuropathic component in low back pain. Conclusion: Time elapsed since current pain onset did not correlate with neuropathic pain component in patients with low back pain. Therefore, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this condition should be based on a multidimensional evaluation at assessment and not on pain duration alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare perceptions of spiritual care among patients with life-threatening cancer, their primary family caregivers, and hospice/palliative care nurses. Data were collected using both structured and unstructured approaches. Structured questionnaire data were examined using statistical analysis methods, and unstructured data were examined using content analysis to compare the 3 participant groups. The questionnaire revealed that among all 3 groups, spiritual care was commonly perceived to relate to "having the opportunity for internal reflection," "finding meaning," "encouraging hope," and "listening to and being with patients." Content analysis of the unstructured data revealed 5 themes: "Caring with sincerity," "Strengthening spiritual resources," "Alleviating physical pain and discomfort" (among patients and primary family caregivers only), "Improving spiritual care service," and "Multifaceted cooperation" (among hospice/palliative care nurses only). Our findings suggest that for patients with life-threatening illnesses such as terminal cancer, spiritual care should not be limited to religious practice but should also satisfy inner existential needs, for example, by encouraging hope, providing empathy, and helping patients find meaning in their circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the learning effects of debriefing methods used in the simulation of prematurity care by measuring: (i) academic self‐efficacy; (ii) confidence in performance; (iii) self‐assessed communication skills; and (iv) satisfaction. We employed a quasi‐experimental design with three experimental groups that experienced instructor‐directed, self‐directed, and video‐assisted, self‐directed debriefing, respectively. Participants were 146 senior nursing students from three nursing schools. To compare learning effects, the same developed scenario for prematurity care was applied to all three groups. Significant differences were observed in the mean scores for the study variables among the three groups. The post‐hoc analysis showed that the video‐assisted, self‐directed debriefing group obtained the highest mean score difference for confidence in performance, self‐assessed communication skills, and satisfaction with the debriefing method. Thus, video‐assisted, self‐directed debriefing could be the most effective debriefing method for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing functional decline is an essential treatment goal in older adults after hip fracture surgery. The current study examined different effects of functional decline–related factors according to activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) in older adults after hip fracture surgery. A total of 120 participants were included. In quantile regression, preoperative walking and fear of falling were significantly associated with ADLs in the 25th percentile ADL group. Fear of falling was the only significant factor in the poorest IADL group (25th percentile). Efforts should be made to reduce fear of falling after hip fracture surgery. Preoperative walking status was significant in patients with poor ADL after hip fracture surgery; therefore, walking status should be taken into consideration when planning rehabilitation care in this group, so that the best possible ADL outcomes can be attained. (6),312–320.][Research in Gerontological Nursing, 12(6),312–320.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effects of a sexual education program (SEP) focused on sexual media literacy (SML) for school nurses. A quasi-experimental, pre-/posttest design was used to examine SML knowledge, awareness, reinterpretation skill, and self-efficacy. A total of 66 school nurses participated. The experimental group (n = 35) participated in an 18-hr SEP that focused on SML, while the control group (n = 31) did not. The experimental group showed significant improvement in knowledge (t = 6.47, d = 1.62, p <.001), awareness (t = 5.08, d = 1.19, p <.001), reinterpretation skill (t = 4.81, d = 2.28, p <.001), and self-efficacy (t = 8.29, d = 1.38, p <.001) as compared to the control group. The SEP developed in this study may be an effective educational intervention for school nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of job embeddedness in the relationship between nursing practice environment on nursing job performance and organizational commitment. Methods: For this study a descriptive design with survey method was utilized. Participants were 192 clinical nurses recruited from 2 hospitals in A, B city and J province in Korea. From June, 6 to 24, 2018, a questionnaire scale was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and liner regression analysis. Results: There were significant positive relationships for nursing job performance and organizational commitment with nursing practice environment. In addition, job embeddedness had a full mediating role in the relationship between nursing practice environment and nursing job performance, and a partial mediation effect in nursing practice environment and organizational commitment. Conclusion: The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effects of job embeddedness and to find ways to improve organizational commitment, which is a useful variable to predict performance outcomes, nurse job performance and job behavior of organizational members. Also, the study results can be used as basic data for nursing manpower management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of an intervention on coping knowledge among fifth- and sixth-grade elementary schoolchildren who received smartphone-delivered emergency preparedness education. This was a quasi-experimental study using a pre-/posttest design. Eighty-six children were recruited to participate. The children in the experimental group (n = 44) received smartphone-delivered emergency preparedness education while those in the control group (n = 42) received traditional lecture-centered education. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measured analysis of variance. Subsequently, the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group on coping knowledge (F = 7.96, f = .31, p = .010). The use of technology such as smartphone-delivered emergency preparedness education may be effective to improve their coping knowledge of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This study aimed to identify factors influencing beliefs about intimate partner violence among Korean adults. Design and Sample This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that analyzed data from 466 adults. Measures Beliefs about intimate partner violence were measured using a self-report questionnaire with a total of 28 items consisting of four subscales: perpetrator's justification for beating women, blaming women for violence against them, perpetrator's responsibility for violence, and giving help to victims. Results Men and women had significantly different beliefs about intimate partner violence ( t = −7.19, p < .001). Some characteristics were identified that led to unhealthy beliefs about intimate partner violence. Four variables-gender, age, educational level, and witnessing parental violence-had an explanatory power of 20% with regard to beliefs about IPV ( F = 10.50, p = .000). Conclusions In South Korea, men, older individuals, and those with less formal education or who have witnessed parental violence need education to foster healthier beliefs about intimate partner violence. Nurses can play a vital role in efforts to decrease intimate partner violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational outcomes, such as knowledge, confidence in performance, ability in nursing practice, and satisfaction with learning methods in caring for children with croup, were compared between groups of students that received education through simulation combined with pre-education, simulation only, and pre-education only. In this quasi-experimental design, the educational intervention for the experimental group was the pre-education modality. Data from a convenience sample of 127 senior nursing students were drawn from three nursing schools in South Korea. There were significant differences in the mean scores of knowledge, confidence in performance, satisfaction with the learning method, and ability in nursing practice between the three groups. Pre-education with simulation significantly enhanced students' knowledge, confidence in performance, ability in nursing practice, and satisfaction with learning methods compared with pre-education or simulation alone. Simulation strategies should focus more on enhancing nursing students' learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop an educational program to promote healthy life behaviors and to evaluate its potential effects on the health practices of fifth grade elementary school children. Methods: The program, which consisted of six categories (daily life and health, disease prevention and management, prevention of drug misuse and overuse, sexuality and health, mental health, and injury prevention and first aid), was developed based on the ADDIE model. A pretest–post‐test, one‐group, quasi‐experimental design was used with 85 elementary school students who voluntarily participated in the program. Results: A school‐based educational program, called the “Six Kid Keys,” referring to the six categories of healthy life behaviors, was developed. Significant pre–post differences in two of the six healthy life behavior categories (disease prevention and management, injury prevention and first aid) were found. Conclusion: A school‐based intervention that was aimed at changing habits related to healthy life behaviors could be effective for elementary school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of healthy life practice (HLP) education on reported health behaviors, including health promotion, disease prevention, and safety among fourth-grade elementary school students. A quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design was used. The 101 recruited participants from two schools were assigned to the intervention group (n = 51) that received 10 health education sessions and the control group (n = 50) that did not receive the intervention. Significant differences in health behaviors were observed between the two groups (t = 2.563, p = .012), specifically for disease prevention (t = 2.178, p = .032) and safety (t = 2.711, p = .008). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in health promotion (t = .270, p = .788). Educational interventions aimed at changing HLP-related health behaviors may be effective for elementary schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Frailty refers to a decreased physiologic reserve in geriatric patients and its importance in terms of treatment planning and outcome prediction has been emphasized in oncologic practices for older patients with cancer. We investigated the clinical implications of a head and neck cancer (HNC)-specific frailty index suggested by prospective clinical and functional evaluations of HNC patients. Materials and Methods. We analyzed data on 165 elderly patients with HNC who were prospectively enrolled in our hospital from 2010 to 2013. Pretreatment functional evaluations were performed according to all comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) domains. We additionally evaluated the patients' respiratory and swallowing functions using pulmonary function tests, voice handicap index (VHI), MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and other associated tests. Factors affecting the 2-year morbidity and mortality were also analyzed. Results. Respiratory and swallowing problems were major causes of 2-year morbidity. Pretreatment performance status, VHI ≥8, MDADI,70, dental problems, and chemotherapy were significantly associated with early morbidity and mortality (all p < .05). CGA-assessed frailty was found in 72 patients (43.6%) and was significantly associated with 2-year mortality (p = .027) but not with morbidity (p = .716). The high-risk group according to our new HNC-specific frailty index that included functional evaluations of respiration and swallowing showed significantly higher 2-year morbidity (p = .043) and mortality (p < .001). Conclusion. Pretreatment functional disabilities related to respiration and swallowing were significantly associated with early morbidity and mortality. The suggested index would be more useful for assessing frailty in elderly HNC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified the effects of a community-based cardiovascular disease prevention program (CVD-PP) on health behavior and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in low-income Korean elderly with hypertension. Eighty-eight individuals completed the 3-month self-efficacy-enhancing interventions in which the control group received standard care. In the intervention group, there were statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy (t = 2.519,p = 0.016) and health behavior (t = 3.453,p = 0.001), and significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (t = –2.518,p = 0.018) between the two groups. This CVD-PP administered by visiting nurses may be effective in improving self-efficacy and health behavior and in reducing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a complex and multifactorial disease that is influenced by a number of genetic factors in addition to environmental factors. Some autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are associated with the development of ONFH. Complement receptor type 2 (CR2) is membrane glycoprotein which binds C3 degradation products generated during complement activation. CR2 has many important functions in normal immunity and is assumed to play a role in the development of autoimmune disease. We investigated whether CR2 gene polymorphisms are associated with risk of ONFH in SLE patients. Eight polymorphisms in the CR2 gene were genotyped using TaqMan™ assays in 150 SLE patients and 50 ONFH in SLE patients (SLE_ONFH). The association analysis of genotyped SNPs and haplotypes was performed with ONFH. It was found that three SNPs, rs3813946 in 5′-UTR (untranslated region), rs311306 in intron 1, and rs17615 in exon 10 (nonsynonymous SNP; G/A, Ser639Asn) of the CR2 gene, were associated with an increased risk of ONFH under recessive model (P values; 0.004~0.016). Haplotypes were also associated with an increased risk (OR; 3.73~) of ONFH in SLE patients. These findings may provide evidences that CR2 contributes to human ONFH susceptibility in Korean SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determines the effect of simulation with team-based learning ( TBL) on newborn nursing care. This randomized controlled trial included 74 nursing students from one university located in Seoul, South Korea. Participants were categorized into two groups according to educational modality: one group involved both simulation and TBL, and the other involved simulation alone. Learning attitudes , academic achievement, and simulation performance were examined to assess effectiveness. The mean difference in learning attitudes between the two groups was non-significant. Low academic achievement differed significantly between the two groups (t = 3.445, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in mean scores for simulation performance between the two groups. In this study, simulation with TBL was effective in improving learning outcomes. In current nursing education, various learning methods are employed within complex nursing situations and require flexibility and problem-solving approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of a urinary tubular marker, liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and an inflammatory marker, serum/urinary YKL-40, with albuminuria in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Twenty-nine patients with childhood-onset T1D and 32 controls were enrolled. Serum and urinary concentrations of YKL-40 and urinary concentrations of L-FABP were measured. Results: The serum levels of YKL-40 were not significantly different between the control group and the patient groups. However, the levels of urinary YKL-40/creatinine (Cr) were higher in the patients, even those with normoalbuminuria than in the controls ( p < 0.001). The levels of urinary L-FABP/Cr were not different between the control group and the patient groups. However, the level of urinary L-FABP/Cr in the microalbuminuria group was higher than that in the normoalbuminuria group ( p = 0.03). There were no associations between the levels of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary L-FABP/Cr or YKL-40/Cr. However, the urinary L-FABP/Cr level was significantly correlated with the hemoglobin A1C level ( p = 0.005) and the urinary YKL-40/Cr level ( p = 0.043). Conclusions: Urinary L-FABP/Cr and YKL-40/Cr may reflect renal injury in early stages of nephropathy in patients with childhood-onset T1D, even in the normoalbuminuric state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may be able to reduce their risk of recurrent GDM and progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus through lifestyle change; however, there is limited population-based information on GDM recurrence rates. Methods: We used data from a population of women delivering two sequential live singleton infants in Massachusetts (1998-2007) to estimate the prevalence of chronic diabetes mellitus (CDM) and GDM in parity one pregnancies and recurrence of GDM and progression from GDM to CDM in parity two pregnancies. We examined four diabetes classification approaches; birth certificate (BC) data alone, hospital discharge (HD) data alone, both sources hierarchically combined with a diagnosis of CDM from either source taking priority over a diagnosis of GDM, and both sources combined including only pregnancies with full agreement in diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe population characteristics, prevalence of CDM and GDM, and recurrence of diabetes in successive pregnancies. Diabetes classification agreement was assessed using the Kappa statistic. Associated maternal characteristics were examined through adjusted model-based t tests and Chi square tests. Results: A total of 134,670 women with two sequential deliveries of parities one and two were identified. While there was only slight agreement on GDM classification across HD and BC records, estimates of GDM recurrence were fairly consistent; nearly half of women with GDM in their parity one pregnancy developed GDM in their subsequent pregnancy. While estimates of progression from GDM to CDM across sequential pregnancies were more variable, all approaches yielded estimates of ≤5 %. The development of either GDM or CDM following a parity one pregnancy with no diagnosis of diabetes was <3 % across approaches. Women with recurrent GDM were disproportionately older and foreign born. Conclusion: Recurrent GDM is a serious life course public health issue; the inter-pregnancy interval provides an important window for diabetes prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Central sensitization plays an important role in the chronic pain experienced by osteoarthritis ( OA) patients. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the influence of the level of preoperative centrally mediated symptoms measured by the Central Sensitization Inventory ( CSI) on pain intensity after total knee arthroplasty ( TKA) for OA. Methods Ninety-eight female OA patients undergoing TKA were enrolled in this study. We assessed CSI scores, pain-related data, and other clinical data preoperatively. All patients received spinal anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia. Pain intensity (at rest and on movement) and rescue meperidine requirements were assessed during postoperative days 1 and 2. Also, pain intensity and patient satisfaction were assessed 1 month and 3 months after surgery. After the completion of all postoperative assessments, we separated the study population into a preoperative CSI score ≥40 and <40 group. We assessed pain-related data between the 2 groups at each assessment time. Results Ninety-one patients completed the postoperative assessments (a preoperative CSI ≥40 group; n = 44, CSI <40 group; n = 47). Patients with preoperative CSI ≥40 complained of a greater pain intensity ( P = 0.001) during postoperative days 1 and 2 and required a higher dose of meperidine rescue ( P = 0.003) than those with a preoperative CSI <40. The high CSI score group also showed a less favorable outcome in terms of pain relief on follow-up at 1 month ( P = 0.006) and 3 months ( P = 0.002) after surgery. In multivariate analysis, a preoperative CSI score ≥40 was the strongest determinant with 5.091 of the highest odds ratio (95% CI 1.324 to 19.523, P = 0.016) for predicting a persistent pain 3 months after surgery among demographic and pain-related variables. Conclusions OA patients with high levels of comorbid centrally mediated symptoms showed severe pain and increased analgesic requirements after TKA in the early postoperative period. Moreover, these patients seemed to be at higher risk of persistent pain, and a high CSI score was predictive of low patient satisfaction in terms of pain relief after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Because of its anatomical location and function, the obturator externus ( OE) muscle can be a source of pain; however, this muscle is understudied as a possible target for therapeutic intervention in pain practice. In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the OE muscle injection with a local anesthetic in chronic pelvic pain patients with suspected OE muscle problems. Methods Twenty-three patients with localized tenderness on the inferolateral side of the pubic tubercle accompanied by pain in the groin, anteromedial thigh, or hip were studied. After identifying the OE with contrast dye under fluoroscopic guidance, 5 to 8 mL of 0.3% lidocaine was injected. Pain scores were assessed before and after injection; patient satisfaction was also assessed. Results Mean pain score decreased by 44.7% (6.6 ± 1.8 to 3.5 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) 2 weeks after OE muscle injection as compared with pain score before injection. In addition, 82% of patients (19 of 23 patients) reported excellent or good satisfaction during 2 weeks after injection. No patients reported complications from OE muscle injection. Conclusions Fluoroscopy-guided injection of the OE muscle with local anesthetic reduced pain scores and led to a high level of satisfaction at short-term follow-up in patients with suspected OE muscle problem. The results of this study suggest that OE muscle injection may be a valuable therapeutic option for a select group of chronic pelvic pain patients who present with localized tenderness in the OE muscle that is accompanied by groin, anteromedial thigh, or hip pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used screening instrument for dementia, it has several limitations. Methods: We developed and validated a new scoring method of the MMSE, namely the short form of the MMSE (MMSE-S). Results: The MMSE-S was more robust to demographic influences than the MMSE. The influence of education, in particular, was smaller in the MMSE-S compared to the MMSE (p < 0.01). The diagnostic accuracy of the MMSE-S for very mild to mild dementia was also better than that of the original MMSE (p < 0.0001). Its specificity, in particular, was higher than that of the original MMSE. In Korea, we could improve the post-test probability for dementia from 46.88 to 64.76% by employing the MMSE-S instead of the MMSE. We also provided optimal cut-off scores for dementia stratified by age, education, and gender, which may further improve the diagnostic accuracy of the MMSE-S for dementia. Conclusion: Due to its good accuracy and brevity, the MMSE-S may contribute to enhancing the cost-effectiveness of and accessibility to dementia screening as well as early diagnosis and treatment of dementia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a logotherapy program entitled 'Finding treasures in my mind' for early adolescents with cancer. Methods: A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized design was conducted with a convenience sample of 22 early adolescents with cancer. The experimental group (n=12) participated in the 'Finding treasures in my mind' program which consisted of five-day sessions for one week. The control group (n=10) received the usual nursing care. The effects were measured using meaning of life (MOL) for early adolescents. The collected data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, t-test, and content analysis. Results: There was a significant difference in MOL for early adolescents (t=3.20, p=.005) between the experimental and control groups. The main results of content analysis were having goals and hope, recovering health, returning to school life, and loving relationships with family. Conclusion: Logotherapy is effective in improving the meaning of life of early adolescents with cancer. This education program based on logotherapy can be used as an important nursing intervention in a cancer nursing care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examined the effects of a conscious sedation dressing on pain and anxiety in pediatric patients with burns. Methods: This was a quasi‐experimental study, using a nonequivalent control group. Using convenience sampling, the participants were assigned to two groups, an experimental group (n = 10), which comprised children who received a conscious sedation dressing, and a control group (n = 13), which comprised children who received general dressing care. To minimize the risk of contamination between the two groups, the sampling was sequentially performed. Results: The children in the experimental group showed significantly lower levels of pain (U = 3.29, d = 1.00, P =.003) and physiological responses, as evidenced by lower systolic blood pressures, diastolic blood pressures, pulse rates, and respiratory rates than the control group (systolic blood pressures: t = 5. 05, d = 1.22, P <.001; diastolic blood pressures: t = 2.12, d = 0.93, P =.046; pulse rates: t = 2.28, d = 1.00, P =.033; and respiratory rates: t = 2.47, d = 1.09, P =.022). Conclusion: The application of a conscious sedation dressing may alleviate pain and anxiety for pediatric burn patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we identified the factors influencing behavioral intention to undergo Papanicolaou testing among Japanese and Korean women in early adulthood. Their behavioral intentions were compared in this cross-sectional descriptive study. In total, 887 women (Japanese = 498, Korean = 389) aged 20-39 years participated in this study. Using a self-report questionnaire, knowledge, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were surveyed. There were significant differences between Japanese and Korean women's scores on all main variables. For Japanese women, all the variables moderately correlated with behavioral intention. In comparison, for Korean women, all independent variables, except for knowledge, moderately correlated with behavioral intention. Through a multiple regression analysis, age, undergoing Papanicolaou testing, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were identified as significant predictors of behavioral intention among Japanese women. Among Korean women, job status, undergoing a Papanicolaou test, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were demonstrated as significant predictors of behavioral intention. Health professionals should consider these factors to encourage Papanicolaou testing in women in early adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]