Effect of health-belief-model-based training on performance of women in breast self-examination

摘要

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women in the world. Withprevention and examinations, including breast self-examination, the death rate will be reduced.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of health-belief-model-based training on theperformance of women in breast self-examination in the province of Fars (Iran).Methods: An empirical study examined the effect of an eight-week training program based on the health beliefmodel among 144 women who visited health care centers in the city of Abadeh in Fars Province (Iran) in 2015.Data gathered through researcher-made questionnaires including awareness, components of the health beliefmodel, performance, and demographic information. IBM-SPSS software version 20, descriptive and inferentialstatistical tests such as T-test, chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and repeated measurements were used for dataanalysis.Results: After the intervention, a significant difference was seen in average awareness, perceived susceptibility,and performance of women (p<0.05), while it was not significant in benefits constructs, perceived barriers, andperceived severity and practice guide. After intervention, the average score of awareness was increasedsignificantly (p<0.001). Also, the average score of performance in breast self-examination showed a significantdifference (p<0.001).Conclusion: Due to the low level of awareness of women about breast self-examination, using a health beliefmodel with an increase of the perceived susceptibility could be effective in improving their performance in breastself-examination