Prevention of Colorectal Cancer Behavior with an Application of the Extended Health Belief Model in Sample of Iranian Women

Abstract

This paper reports on predictors of women' prevention of colorectal cancer behaviors, using variables based on the Health belief Model in an attempt to identify influential variables that may be addressed through intervention efforts. The purpose of this study was the asses of predictor of prevention of colorectal cancer health behavior in women based an extended health belief model. In a cross-sectional study, a community sample (N = 560) of women completed a questionnaire assessing HBM variables, as well as their performance of the colorectal cancer prevention behaviors. The statistical analysis of the data included bivariate correlations, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. The results showed that the perceived severity and perceived benefits are high and the perceived barriers, yet high are relatively low among the women which increases the cues for action and increased participation. The cognition variables, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, were significantly related to prevention of colorectal cancer among the respondents. A negative association was found between prevention health behaviors and perceived barriers. Interpersonal influences, such as modeling and norms and situational influences were found to be significantly related to increased health behaviors. Perceived barrier significantly predicted to prevention health behavior also. All of the Health belief Model variables were statistically significant predictors of health behaviors and accounted for 38% of the variation. Promotion of interpersonal modeling and the women' perceived barrier should be priorities of any programs aimed at promoting prevention of health behaviors among women'. It is also concluded that the Health belief Model may be used in developing countries, like Iran, as a framework for planning intervention programs in an attempt to improve the colorectal cancer prevention health behaviors of women'.