Abstract
BackgroundIranian women, many of whom live in small cities, have limited access to mammography and clinical breast examinations. Thus, breast self examination (BSE) becomes an important and necessary approach to detecting this disease in its early stages in order to limit its resultant morbidity and mortality. This study examined constructs arising from the Health Belief Model as predictors of breast self examination behavior in a sample of women living in Bandar Abbas, Iran.MethodsThis study was conducted in eight health centers located in Bandar Abbas, Iran. The sample consisted of 240 eligible women who were selected from referrals to the centers. The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged 30 years and over; and able to read and write Farsi. Women with breast cancer, who were pregnant, or breast feeding, were excluded from the study. Data were collected by using a self administered questionnaire which included demographic characteristics and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale. This instrument measures the concepts of disease susceptibility (3 items), seriousness (6 items), benefits (4 items), barriers (8 items) and self-efficacy (10 items).ResultsThe subjects' mean age was 37.2 (SD = 6.1) years. Just under a third of the subjects (31.7%) had performed BSE in the past and 7.1% of them performed it at least monthly. Perceived benefits and perceived self-efficacy of the women who performed BSE were significantly higher compared with women who did not practice BSE (p < 0.03). Furthermore, perceived barriers were lower among those who had performed BSE (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that women who perceived fewer barriers (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.63-0.77, p < 0.001) and had higher self-efficacy (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13, p = 0.003) were more likely to perform BSE (R2 = 0.52).ConclusionFindings from this study indicated that perceived barriers and perceived self-efficacy could be predictors of BSE behavior among the sample of women. Therefore, BSE training programs that emphasize self-efficacy and address perceived barriers are recommended.
Highlights
Iranian women, many of whom live in small cities, have limited access to mammography and clinical breast examinations
There were no statistical differences in breast self examination (BSE) performance with respect to age, level of education, or history of breast problems (p > 0.05)
There were significant differences between these two groups of women with respect to the Health Belief Model (HBM) factors mostly related to self-efficacy (8 items)
Summary
Many of whom live in small cities, have limited access to mammography and clinical breast examinations. Breast cancer is the most common cancer [1,2] and contributes to a high rate of death among women worldwide [3,4]. It has been estimated that one out of every nine women living in western countries is likely to be afflicted by breast cancer in her lifetime [4]. A high prevalence rate of breast cancer is noted among women living in Denmark, Finland and Sweden [5]. The incidence rate of breast cancer among Asian women has increased in recent years and is likely related to life style changes [6]. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and accounts for 24% of female cancers in Turkey [8]
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