Health Beliefs as Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Behaviour in a Group of Female Employees in Shiraz

Abdulaziz Aflakseir; Parinaz Abbasi

International Journal of Cancer Management

The Official Journal of Cancer Research Center (CRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

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Abstract
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Health Beliefs as Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Behaviour in a Group of Female Employees in Shiraz

Author(s):

Abdulaziz Aflakseir^1,*,

Parinaz Abbasi²

1Dept. of Clinical Psychology, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

2Dept. of Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

International Journal of Cancer Management:Vol. 5, issue 3; e80813

Published online:Sep 30, 2012

Article type:Research Article

Received:Feb 13, 2012

Accepted:Apr 29, 2012

How to Cite:Abdulaziz Aflakseir Parinaz AbbasiHealth Beliefs as Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Behaviour in a Group of Female Employees in Shiraz.Int J Cancer Manag.5(3):e80813.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of getting such health screenings as mammography and breast self-examination among a group of women and also to identify the role of health beliefs in predicting mammography practice.

Methods: The data were collected from a convenience sample of 113 female staff at the University of Shiraz and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The participants completed the Champion Health Beliefs Scale (CHBS) designed to measure patients' perception on mammography of breast cancer screening. The scale assesses health beliefs components such as perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits of mammography screening, and perceived barriers to mammography screening. The participants also answered several questions on practicing Breast Self-Examination (BSE), mammography screening behaviours and health factors such as family history of cancer, and physicians' recommendation for mammography.

Results: The results indicated that 51% of women had BSE, and only 21% had a mammogram. Logistic regression showed that physician's recommendation, and the perceived barriers significantly predicted mammography screening, explaining 27% of the total variance of mammography practice. The participants who saw fewer barriers to have a mammogram and those who had been recommended to have one by their physician were more likely to get it. The present study provides some supports for the health beliefs model.

Conclusions: Data indicated that perceived barriers to have a mammogram predicted not getting one, and physicians' recommendation predicted getting a mammogram by women.

Keywords

Mammography

Breast self-examination

Cancer screening

Women's health

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