Nurse-led Interventions, Adult Health Beliefs and Screening Behaviors toward Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is common, the presenting symptoms are non-specific, and the stage of disease at diagnosis is closely related to survival. Regular screening reduces morbidity and mortality from this disease. The Health Belief Model posits that individuals are more likely to engage in preventive health behavior. Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention on adults' health beliefs and screening behaviors toward colorectal cancer. Design: A quasi experimental design. Setting: This study was conducted in outpatients' clinics at Menoufia University hospital, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of 140 participants who were attended at pre-mentioned settings. Instruments: as following: I. Structured interviewing questionnaire, II: colorectal cancer awareness questionnaire. III: colorectal cancer Self-reported screening behavior questionnaire, IV: colorectal cancer Knowledge questionnaire. V: Health beliefs model questionnaire. Results: the mean age of the studied sample was 54.27± 7.271 and 52.129±6.324 for study and control groups respectively. Regarding to risk factors assessment 55.7% of study group and 65.7% of the control group has Low-fiber, protein-rich, and high fats in their diet. 80.0% of the study group and 84.3% of control group had negative family history for CRC. There was statistical improvement of total awareness score among study group (9.39±4.31) than those in control group (5.02±2.93) at post-intervention. The mean total behavior scores were 7.93±2.11 and 5.28±3.28 for study and control group respectively at post-intervention. There were statistical significance differences in total mean score of health belief model variables among study group at post intervention in which p value = .000. Conclusion: Nurse led intervention had positive impact on adult health beliefs, screening behaviors also improving their knowledge and awareness regarding colorectal cancer. Recommendations: Designing effective nursing strategies to address barriers of CRC screening and improve CRC knowledge and awareness, which is critical to achieving greater screening compliance.