A Field Experimental Attempt to Change Beliefs and Behavior of Women in an Urban Ghetto.

Using standard personal messages within an urban ghetto, an attempt was made to: (1) change women's beliefs in vulnerability to cervical cancer and in the effectiveness of cytology, and (2) persuade them to visit a cytological clinic. More women with higher post-belief scores made visits than their counterparts. The experimental message was more successful than the control in eliciting clinic visits. Though the experimental message did not change beliefs more than the control message, more experimental subjects high in post-beliefs came to the clinic than (1) experimental or control subjects low in post-beliefs, or (2) control subjects high in post-beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]