Champion Health Belief Model Scale Research Articles

Breast cancer screening in Lebanon: Understanding knowledge, attitudes and barriers

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) has been increasing in both prevalence and incidence in Lebanon. Knowing the positive impact mammographic screening has on reducing mortality rates, we sought to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and barriers towards BC screening amongst Lebanese women across all districts. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with 400 Lebanese women aged 35–75, with no prior or current diagnosis of BC, employing an online questionnaire filled face-to-face with participants to gather sociodemographic data and assess BC history and screening practices. We utilized the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ) and Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and barriers. ResultsFindings revealed inadequate attitudes towards general health check-ups (77.5 %) and insufficient BC screening knowledge (56.4 %). Furthermore, 38.5 % encountered obstacles to mammography screening. Education significantly affected BC knowledge. Interestingly, increased knowledge of BC reduced barriers to mammographic screening. Participants with healthcare connections or background exhibited better attitudes towards health check-ups and encountered fewer screening obstacles. ConclusionThis is the first study that endeavors to comprehensively investigate Lebanese women's knowledge, attitudes, and barriers concerning BC screening, encompassing all demographics and regions using validated scales (BCSBQ and CHBMS). Our data highlight the crucial role of education in advocating for early BC screening and the necessity to reevaluate national campaigns, particularly in communication methods, to ensure equitable access to screening across Lebanon.

Health Beliefs, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Prevention Behaviors of Turkish Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between nursing students' breast cancer (BC) awareness, health beliefs, and BC prevention behaviors. Methods: This study sample consisted of 256 female students. Descriptive Information Form, Breast Cancer Awareness Scale (B-CAS), the Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors of Women (FABCPB) Scale, and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) were used to collect the data. Results: Breast self-examination was performed in 53.9% of the nursing students. The mean B-CAS score was 1.35 ± 0.58 and the mean FABCPB score was 102.84 ± 9.62. The mean scores of the sub-dimension scores of the CHBMS of nursing students were as sensitivity perception 7.93 ± 2.13, seriousness perception 22.58 ± 5.26, benefit perception 17.25 ± 3.17, obstacle perception 22.89 ± 6.24, confidence 37.71 ± 7.53, and health motivation 26.47 ± 4.41 points. A significant correlation was found between the scores of the nursing students on the B-CAS, FABCPB, and CHBMS scales. Conclusions: Nursing students' scores on the B-CAS and FABCPB were moderate, CHBMS sensitivity and obstacle perception sub-dimension scores were low, severity perception scores were moderate, and benefit perception, trust, and health motivation sub-dimension scores were high. As the BC awareness of nursing students increased, their cancer prevention behaviors and health beliefs increased.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Perceptions of Women in Yerevan, Armenia.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer mortality in Armenia. The government is considering covering breast cancer screening, but prevailing attitudes towards it are unknown. This cross-sectional study assessed Armenian women's awareness and perceptions of breast cancer screening. We administered a validated telephone survey to women ages 35-65 registered in Yerevan's polyclinic system between 2019-2021, assessing sociodemographic characteristics, breast cancer exposure and screening attitudes, using an adapted Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). We analyzed the association, unadjusted and adjusted, between sociodemographic characteristics, screening exposure, and CHBMS scores. 170 women completed surveys. Most (82.9%) were aware of screening, 48.5% knew someone with breast cancer, but only 42.5% had undergone screening, predominantly without their physician's recommendation (63.2%). Despite elevated awareness, 76.2% had never discussed screening with their provider. Barriers included cost and mistreatment concerns. Education consistently predicted prior screening and most CHBMS scores. Armenian women are highly exposed to breast cancer, but knowledge and prior screening primarily emanate from non-physician sources. Results highlighted the influence of education, patient-provider relationships, and healthcare costs, underscoring the importance of multi-level interventions.

Determination of Breast Cancer Risk and Knowledge Levels in Women: The Case of Cyprus.

Breast cancer is the type of cancer that is seen all over the world and ranks first among female cancers in terms of incidence and cause of death. This research was conducted to determine the breast cancer risk level and breast cancer knowledge level in women living in Northern Cyprus. The study, which was planned as a relational survey, was carried out as web-based. The research was completed with 657 adult female participants living in Northern Cyprus who volunteered to participate in the study. In order to collect data, the first section includes the introductory features, the second section includes the "Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Form" for determining breast cancer risk levels, the third section includes the "Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test" to determine the breast cancer knowledge levels of the participants, and the fourth section includes the "Champion Health Belief Model Scale" was used. It was determined that 95.2% of women were in the low risk group for breast cancer. The knowledge test mean score is 12.05, and it can be said that the scores obtained are above the average (min:4- max:18). It was found that 55.7% of the women knew how to do Breast Self-Examination (BSE), but only 15.4% of them regularly performed BSE every month. It was found that 80.9% of the women never had mammography and their knowledge scores increased with increasing education level (p< 0.001) and there was a significant relationship between non-smokers and their knowledge levels (p< 0.01). Despite the high scores of women in knowledge tests, it was observed that the frequency of applying BSE and having mammography was very low. Regardless of the risk factors for breast cancer, the importance of regular check-ups and BSE for every woman should be taught to women by health professionals, and group trainings should be planned for women who do not have training on this subject.

An investigation of the relationship between female university students' breast cancer risk factors and their health beliefs about breast self-examination.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between female university students' breast cancer risk factors and their health beliefs about breast self-examination (BSE). The sample of this descriptive and correlational study was 389 female students who were determined by stratified sampling method. Data were collected through the Socio-demographic Characteristics and Breast Cancer Risk Factors Determination Form and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Data obtained from the study were analysed using SPSS for Windows 16.0 program. Data analysis was performed using percentage distributions, z test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Statistical significance was accepted p<0.05. While a positive correlation was detected between students' perceived breast cancer risk for themselves and perceived susceptibility, severity, benefit, self-efficacy related to BSE and health motivation mean scores, a negative and significant correlation was detected with perceived barriers to BSE mean score (p<0.05). Results showed that although female university students had some risk factors in terms of breast cancer, they have low levels of perceived risk factors for themselves.

Testing the validity of a new scale designed to assess beliefs and perceptions about colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia: a principal component analysis

ObjectiveTo conduct a cultural adaptation and validation of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (CHBMS-CRC-M) in order to assess and investigate perceptions and beliefs...

147 A Digital Approach to Syphilis Infection Prevention

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The goal of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a digital health education curriculum aimed at increasing syphilis beliefs and screening behavior among young African American females residing in Jefferson County, AL. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Study Population: African American, cis-gender women, aged 18-29, who reside in Jefferson County, AL Sample Size: N = 50 Measurements: 1) Champion Health Belief Model scale adapted for measuring syphilis perceptions and syphilis screening behavior Analysis Plan: IBM SPSS Statistics 29 will be used to analyze intervention data. Pre-and post-intervention data will be analyzed to calculate a screening request rate for each period. We will use Cohen’s D effect sizes to measure screening requests rate differences post intervention completion. The small sample size and exploratory nature of this project make the descriptive statistics valuable. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate that the digital syphilis prevention intervention will positively influence participants’ beliefs regarding syphilis and their syphilis screening behaviors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Innovative preventive approaches to reducing syphilis disease spread is a national priority as rates have risen annually throughout the last decade. African American women experience the greatest disease burdens associated with syphilis. This study leverages tailored strategies to effectively address this ailment in the target population.

Predictive Model of Functional Exercise Compliance of Patients with Breast Cancer Based on Decision Tree.

Regular functional exercise can help recover the functions of upper limb for patients with breast cancer. By finding the influencing factors of functional exercise compliance and constructing a predictive model, patients with a poor functional exercise compliance can be better identified. This study aims to find out the factors influencing the functional exercise compliance of patients with breast cancer and build a predictive model based on decision tree. Convenience sampling was used at two tertiary hospitals in Shantou from August 2020 to March 2021. Data of patients with breast cancer patient was obtained from questionnaires and based on demographics, Constant-Murley Score, Functional Exercise Compliance Scale for Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients, Champion Health Belief Model Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, Disease Perception Questionnaire and Family Care Index Questionnaire. Possible influencing factors of functional exercise compliance were analyzed using correlation analysis as well as univariate and binary logistic regression analysis through SPSS v25, and a CHAID decision tree was used to construct a predictive model on training, validation and test sets via SPSS Modeler v18 at a ratio of 6:2:2. Prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC were used to analyze the efficacy of the predictive model. A total of 227 valid samples were collected, of which 145 were assessed with a poor compliance (63.9%). According to a logistic regression analysis, perceived benefits, time after surgery and self-efficacy were influencing factors. The prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the predictive model, based on a CHAID decision tree analysis, were 70.73%, 57.1%, 77.8% and 0.81 respectively. The predictive model, based on a CHAID decision tree analysis, had a moderate predictive efficacy, which could be used as a clinical auxiliary tool for clinical nurses to predict patients' functional exercise compliance.

Prediction of Breast Self-Examination Behavior Among Omani Undergraduate Students Using Champion's Health Belief Model.

Breast cancer (BC) is a most common and frequently occurring malignancy of women worldwide. Breast self-examination (BSE) is important for the early detection and prevention of BC and to limit the morbidity and mortality. Young students are ideal people to understand and motivate other women to perform BSE. BSE behavior of undergraduate students was predicted using Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. This study was conducted in all nine colleges of Sultan Qaboos University, , Oman. Three-hundred eighty-one female undergraduate students were selected through convenient sampling technique. The health belief towards BSE was predicted using CHBMS. The mean and SD of beliefs about the benefits of performing BSE showed 10.84 and 3.2, respectively. Mean and SD of confidence in performing BSE indicated 56.24 and 10.8. Likewise, the mean and SD of barriers in performing BSE are 13.58 and 4.2. Source of information is found to be a statistically significant predictor of barrier in performing BSE at p < .05. If the self- confidence of women in performing BSE improves, the women will uptake BSE more frequently thereby they can be prevented from developing the adverse consequences of advanced stages of breast cancer.

The validity and reliability of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale for screening breast cancer behaviours in occupied Palestinian territory: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer in Palestinian women. Breast self-examination and mammography screening are important tools to detect tumours early and improve survival. Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) is a self-report instrument that can help in detecting beliefs and behaviours. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of CHBMS to assess the beliefs and behaviours of Palestinian women in West Bank, occupied Palestinian Territory, towards screening and health education programmes for early detection of breast cancer. MethodsThe English version of the CHBMS questionnaire was translated into Arabic and revised by two bilingual experts. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic questions relating to the following eight subscales: susceptibility to breast cancer (three items), seriousness of breast cancer (seven items), benefits of breast self-examination (six items), barriers to performing examinations (nine items), and confidence in performing examinations (ten items), health motivation (seven items), and benefits of (six items) and barriers to (nine items) performing mammography. A qualitative pilot with ten different women was performed to assess the clarity of the translated CHBMS and its appropriateness to the local context. We then did a cross-sectional study in which all attendees to the main Palestinian Ministry of Health screening clinics in the north, middle, and south of West Bank from Oct 1 to Dec 30, 2016, were asked to be interviewed by telephone. Respondents gave verbal consent to participate. Varimax rotation was used to extract factors with 0·40 loading or greater. The items for breast self-examination and the mammography screening scales were considered separately; 42 items related to breast self-examination were loaded on six subscales and the 15 items related to mammography screening were loaded on two subscales. The internal consistency of each subscale was tested using Cronbach's α and no increase of more than 0·1 if any item was deleted. All analyses were done with SPSS version 22. Results444 interviews were completed. The items “if someone developed [breast cancer], she would not live longer than 5 years” and “Doing [breast self-examination] will make me worry” did not meet any subscale loading criterion. The item “I don’t feel I can do [breast self-examination] correctly” loaded on the confidence subscale instead of being categorized as a barrier to breast examination. The five items referring to mammography screening benefits and the eight items referring to mammography screening barriers loaded to their respective two subscales. Internal consistency for each breast self-examination subscale was acceptable to high: benefits (Cronbach's α=0·931), barriers (0·624) and confidence (0·923), susceptibility (0·941), seriousness (0·786) and health motivation (0·595). The internal consistency for the mammography screening benefits and barriers were good (Cronbach's α=0·668 and 0·640, respectively). InterpretationThe study supports the use of CHBMS as a tool with potential to measure beliefs and behaviours related to breast self-examination and mammography screening among Palestinian women. Improved understanding of these factors will lead to development of more effective educational programmes. FundingNone.

Psychometric properties of the Romanian version of Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale for breast self-examination

This study set out to translate Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale and to test its properties on a Romanian sample. The study included 502 participants. The structural validity, convergent validity, criterion validity and reliability were evaluated for the Romanian version. The exploratory factor analysis highlighted six factors. The confirmatory factor analysis upheld the correctness of the six-subscale model as presenting a good fit for the 34-item version. Convergent validity was supported by the fact that the constructs included in the model correlated significantly with similar constructs evaluated using other questionnaires. In terms of criterion validity, those women who perceived fewer barriers and more cues to action and had greater self-efficacy practiced more frequent breast self-examination. α Cronbach coefficients ranged between .74 and .87 and test-retest correlation coefficients for the six subscales fell between .47 and .69. The Romanian version of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale is valid and reliable tool.

Evaluation of the use of breast cancer screening methods among female patients through Champion Health Belief Model Scale

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate use of breast cancer screening methods by women in our society and the affecting factors.&#x0D; Material and Method: 281 women aged 40 and over were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form, Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Form and the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale were administered to the participants through face-to-face interview technique.&#x0D; Results: It was found that most of the participants knew the breast cancer screening methods but used the screening methods at a low rate. The main reason affecting their use of screening methods was whether there was a complaint or not. The rate of mammography was found to be significantly higher among those who performed breast self-examination (p=0.011). When the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale form was examined, it was found that the participants got the highest points from the self-efficacy subscale of breast self-examination, and the lowest points from the perceived susceptibility subscale. &#x0D; Conclusion: It was observed that the use of any screening method and breast cancer risk factors affected health beliefs regards to the use of screening methods.

The Relationship Between Anxiety and Beliefs Towards Breast Self-Examination and Breast Cancer Among Female University Students

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety and beliefs towards breast self- examination (BSE) and breast cancer (BC) among female university students. Method: This descriptive and comperative study was conducted on nursing students (n=534) at a State University in Ankara, Turkey. 1) Questionnaire Form, 2) Champion Health Belief Model Scale, and 3) Beck Anxiety Scale were used to data collection. In data evaluation, frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation, the independent t test, the Pearson correlation, and ANOVA were used. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.30 ± 2.0 (min:18, max:40). 58.2% of the students had knowledge of BC, 47% of BSE and only 28.7% perform SBE. The students with knowledge about BSE and BC showed higher motivation and preventive health behaviors (p&lt;0.05). Students who regularly perform BSE had a low perception of barriers, high confidence perception, and high health motivation (p&lt;0.05). As students' health motivation and confidence increased, their anxiety scores decreased (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The BSE rate was well below the desired level. It was determined that the female students had some positive health beliefs about BC and this situation has decreased their anxiety levels. It is recommended to consider the barriers in front of students' preventive health behaviors and to plan initiatives to develop sensitivity on this issue.

Perceptions of Anal Cancer Risk Among HIV-Positive and High-Risk HIV-Negative Women.

Women living with HIV (WLWH) have a greater risk of anal cancer than women without HIV; however, there are limited studies that examine awareness of anal cancer risk among WLWH and "high-risk" HIV-negative women. This study examines risk factors for anal cancer, perceptions of risk for anal cancer, and perceptions of anal cancer screening among a cohort of WLWH and high-risk HIV-negative women. From the Atlanta, GA, and Bronx, NY, sites of the Women's Interagency HIV Study, 155 WLWH and HIV-negative women were enrolled and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale questionnaire measuring risk perceptions to anal cancer was administered to each participant. The WLWH perceived anal cancer to be less serious and perceived facing fewer barriers to anal cancer screening than HIV-negative women (both p = .01). Older women (≥50 years) felt that they had less barriers to anal cancer screening (p = .047). Moreover, women who had less than a high school education felt more susceptible to anal cancer (p = .001), as did women who reported a history of anal intercourse (p = .017). Despite being at an increased risk for anal cancer, perceptions of susceptibility to anal cancer and seriousness of anal cancer were low among WLWH. These findings highlight opportunities for provider and patient educational interventions to improve awareness of anal cancer risk among WLWH.

HEMŞİRELERİN KENDİ KENDİNE MEME MUAYENESİ YAPMASINI ENGELLEYEN FAKTÖRLERİN BELİRLENMESİ

The promotion of breast self-examination (BSE) in developing countries is the main strategy for reducing breast cancer-related mortality. For this reason, determining the barriers to perform BSE for nurses, who play a key role in the health education of the society, should be a priority step. This research was conducted to determine the barriers to perform BSE for nurses. The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of 276 nurses working in an education and research hospital, agreed to participate in the study. The data of the study, which was conducted between January and June 2020, were collected using face-to-face interview method via questionnaire form and Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Number and percentage distribution, One Way ANOVA, Student t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, MannWhitney U test, Spearman Correlation and Multi-directional Regression Analysis were used in data analysis. The mean age of the nurses participating in the study was 32.56±9.07. 52.9% of the nurses are single and the majority (75.7%) are university graduates. 73.9% of the nurses perform BSE. The rate of those who perform BSE at the right time is 40.5%. The difference between the disability, trust, and health motivation sub-dimension mean scores of nurses who perform BSE and those who do not are statistically significant. In this study, according to the health belief model used to determine the barriers to nurses' BSE performance, disability perception scores were high, the factors that most affect the perception of disability were marriage, having children, the clinic which they work, breast cancer risk, age, working year and sensitivity, severity. It was determined that they had benefit, sense of trust and health motivation.

Breast Self-Examination: Knowledge, Practice, and Beliefs Among Females in Jordan.

IntroductionWorldwide, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females in Jordan.Objective(s)The current study aimed to evaluate breast cancer knowledge levels and practice and assess health beliefs regarding the model supporting self-breast examination (BSE) in a group of females aged between 20 and 60 in Jordan.MethodsDescriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was used; Two hundred females participated in the study, employing convenient sampling. The adjusted version of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) was utilized to collect the data.ResultsMost participants were married (F = 128, 64%), and the mean of the participants’ age was (36.18, SD = 10.87). About 73 participants (36.5%) don't practice BSE; however, 53 participants (26.5%) plan to practice BSE in the future monthly. The logistic regression model showed that the impact of confidence as positive predictive value on practicing BSE in the last year (B = 0.141, p < .001) and this year (B = 0.130, p < .001) was statistically significant.ConclusionImplications for practice include identifying culturally specific barriers and improving health education programs to trigger breast self-examination utilization.

Validation of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale for an Investigation of Breast Cancer Screening Behaviour in Malaysia.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women globally, including in Malaysia. There is a need to assess women’s beliefs about BC and screening in different cultural settings. This study aimed to translate and validate an adapted version of the United States (US) Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for an investigation of predictors of BC screening in Malaysia. The CHBMS was adapted, and forward and backward translated into the Malay language. The validity and reliability of the CHBMS-BC-M (M for Malay language) was investigated in a community sample of 251 multi-ethnic Malay-speaking women. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation indicated that the structure of the adapted CHBMS-BC-M comprised three subscales with 21 items, and an Item-Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 0.83 and above for all items. The explanatory factor analysis (EFA) showed acceptable to high factor loadings on items. Cronbach’s alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.59 to 0.87. The reproducibility of the scale was fair to high, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.53 to 0.80 for the subscales. Overall, the analysis indicated that the translated CHBMS-BC-M is a valid and reliable scale to measure beliefs about BC and screening in the Malay-speaking ethnic population of Malaysia.

APPLICATION AND BELIEF OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (BSE) IN BREAST CANCER IN FEMALE STUDYING IN SCIENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: THE CASE OF TURKEY

Abstract: In Turkey, women, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer with 25%. Early diagnosis of breast cancer facilitates treatment and prolongs patient life. BSE which performed at regular intervals and accurately is a simple, economic method that protects the privacy of women in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the beliefs and practice of breast cancer and BSE in women studying outside the health field. Descriptive research was used to comment for the beliefs and practice of breast cancer and BSE in 600 women studying in science and social sciences of a University. Descriptive characteristics, breast cancer and breast self-examination were used to collect data and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) was used. The difference between the mean CSIMS scores of students with and without BSE was evaluated statistically.The participants was found that 15.2% (n = 91) of students applied BSE regularly every month. 17.5% of participants indicated not be a sign of breast cancer. In the early diagnosis of breast cancer, 54% of participants were indicated can used BSE. Moreover, 49.8% of the participants noted that they did not get any information about BSE before. The difference between participants who applied and did not apply BSE was statistically significant the total scale means (P=0.007). It was concluded that female students studying in science and social sciences had insufficient knowledge about breast cancer and BSE early diagnosis, symptoms, and physician examination.Peer education programs are recommended. Keywords :Student, breast cancer, breast self examination (BSE), health, beliefs.

Kadınların Meme ve Serviks Kanserinin Erken Tanısına Yönelik Sağlık İnançlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Amaç: Bu çalışma, kadınların meme ve serviks kanserinin erken tanısına yönelik sağlık inançlarını değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütüldü. Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipte bir araştırmadır. Araştırma grubunu, Zonguldak İl Merkezindeki dört Aile Sağlığı Merkezine başvuran 500 kadın oluşturdu. Verilerin toplanmasında Bilgi Formu, Champion Sağlık İnanç Modeli Ölçeği ve Servikal Kanserin Erken Tanısına Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği kullanıldı. Verilerin analizinde sayı ve yüzde değerleri, Mann Whitney U testi, Kruskal Wallis-H testi ve Bonferroni düzeltmeli Mann Whitney U analizi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Kadınların meme kanseri erken tanısına yönelik önemseme, sağlık motivasyonu, yarar ve öz-etkililik algılarının orta, duyarlılık ve engel algılarının düşük düzeyde olduğu belirlendi. Ayrıca, kadınların serviks kanseri erken tanısına yönelik önemseme, engel ve genel algılarının orta, duyarlılık ve yarar algılarının düşük düzeyde olduğu tespit edildi. Sonuç: Meme ve serviks kanseri erken tanı davranışlarının kazandırılmasında kadınların sağlık inançlarının ve sağlık inançlarını etkileyen faktörlerin değerlendirilmesi önemlidir.

Determinants of screening methods utilization among Iraq/Sulaimani women

PurposeThis study aims to find out the participation rate of women in the utilization of screening methods to determine the relationship of sociodemographic health characteristics and breast cancer (BC) awareness with the utilization of screening methods. The authors’ study aims to examine the relationship between women's belief and the utilization of screening methods.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted in three health centers from December 13, 2016 to June 12, 2017. A questionnaire was constructed for data collection about sociodemographic characteristics, screening awareness and medical and health background variables. Additionally, BC awareness measure and champion health belief model scales were used to measure women's perceptiveness about BC.FindingsDespite the awareness among 78.9% of women regarding clinical breast examination (CBE) as a screening method, only 9.5% women utilized it for screening. Due to prescription by physicians for diagnosis of BC, 23.6% women had done mammography at least once in their life. Having jobs and a good education significantly influenced the utilization of CBE as a screening method. The logistic regression analysis found that old age, family history of BC, good knowledge about BC, perceived susceptibility, low rate of perceived barriers to mammography and CBE predicted participation in screening.Originality/valueEnhancing knowledge about BC and screening, emphasizing the susceptibility to BC and the benefits of screening will help in better participation. Importance should be given to illiterate and unemployed women.