Health Beliefs as Predictors of Breast Self-Examination Behavior

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of getting such health screenings as breast self-examination among a group of women and to identify the role of health beliefs in predicting breast self-examination (BSE). Methods: The data were collected from a convenience sample of 225 women covered of the clinics in northwest of Tehran. The participants completed the demographic questions and Champion Health Beliefs Scale (CHBS) designed to measure patients’ perception on breast self-examination of breast cancer screening. Also answered The Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (BCKT) that was applied to measure participants’ knowledge. Results: The results indicated that 52% of women before did Breast Self-Examination and had poor knowledge on breast cancer. Most disagree about questions of Champion Health Beliefs Scale was with phrase of “I do not check because the leave the condition on God” and most agree with “Early detection leads less surgical intervention and best healing”. Logistic regression showed that educational status, breastfeeding and the perceived barriers significantly predicted BSE (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that the HBM constructs are able to predict BSE behavior. Among these constructs, perceived barriers was the most important predictor of the behavior. Interventions based on the constructs of perceived barriers and educational interventions are recommended for increasing women’s regular screening for breast cancer.