Author/Authors :
Lotfi, Behrouz zahedan university of medical sciences - School of health, ايران , Hashemi, Zahra zahedan university of medical sciences - School of health, ايران , Ansari-Moghadam, Alireza zahedan university of medical sciences - Health Promotion Research Centre, ايران
Abstract :
Background: Women of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer. More than 90% of patients can be treated if diagnosed early. However, most women do not perform a regular BSE (Breast Self-Examination), which is an effective and inexpensive way to prevent considerable cancer-related death and morbidity.Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the impact of Health Belief Model (HBM)-based training on BSE behavior.Patients and Methods: The study involved a controlled intervention performed with 200 women referred to health centers in Zahedan; 100 women were included in the intervention group and 100 other women in the control group. Before undertaking intervention training, a questionnaire designed according to HBM principles was completed by the subjects. The intervention training was then carried out with the intervention group using a lecture, question and answer sessions, and a film. Two months after the intervention, the questionnaire was readministered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software, an independent t-test, a paired t-test, and a chi-square analysis; P 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The independent t-test showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in mean knowledge scores or HBM parameters among the control and intervention groups (P 0.05). However, a significant difference was found after the intervention as the mean knowledge score increased and the HBM parameters differed in the intervention group (P 0.05). A paired t-test showed that the mean differences in knowledge scores and HBM parameters before and after the intervention were statistically significant (P 0.05), but no significant before and after differences were identified among the control group (P 0.05). Before the study, the percentage of women who regularly performed a BSE was 7% in the intervention group, but this was increased to 51% after the intervention.Conclusions: It seems that a training program based on HBM principles is effective for inducing BSE behavior. Also, based on the findings of this study, there may be a need to increase the awareness of the perceived severity of breast cancer and the possible benefits of BSE and a self-efficacy approach to health. It is recommended that training programs emphasizing such changes be designed and implemented
