Abstract
Health belief and behavior intention affect subsequent health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of health belief, behavior intention, and health behavior, and to identify the factors related to health behaviors in adults receiving colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Taiwan. This cross-sectional study recruited patients receiving a CRC screening from the cancer screening outpatient department of a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Demographic and health characteristics were recorded, and participants were assessed using Champion’s health belief model scale, cancer screening intention scale, and the health protective behavior scale. Of the 125 subjects (aged 49–75 years), 27.2% reported active screening; the rest passively received screening after doctor referral. Those who were doctor-referred had lower levels of health behavior, including general behavior, self-knowledge, and health care. Positive health behaviors related to CRC screening were associated with not smoking, greater seriousness in health belief, more confidence in health belief, consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and motivation for CRC screening; these factors explained 35.0% of the variance in positive health behaviors related to CRC screening. A comprehensive education program encouraging CRC cancer screening should include access to available resources and encourage positive health belief and behavior intention related to this important cancer screening activity.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death [1]
The inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 50 years, (2) received fecal occult blood test (FOBT), (3) ability to speak/read in Mandarin and Taiwanese, and (4) agreement to participate in the study after explanation of its purposes and procedures
Compared to one study of belief involving breast cancer screening in northwest Iran, we found a higher level of benefit belief and a lower level of barrier belief than that found for women undergoing mammography [22]
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death [1]. In Taiwan, CRC is the second most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality [2]. Western lifestyles increase the risk of CRC [3]. The rate of CRC has increased in recent years, especially rapidly in adults older than 50 years [1,2]. Screening for CRC using the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) can detect precursor lesions and reduce the incidence of malignant CRC [4]. Adults aged 50 years or more are recommended to receive a FOBT annually [5]
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