Psychological Predictors of Prostate Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Men Over 50 Years of Age in Hamadan: Perceived Threat and Efficacy

Factors Affecting Breast Self-examination Behavior Among Female Healthcare Workers in Iran: The Role of Social Support Theory

OBJECTIVES

In women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. Screening tests are the basis for early diagnosis. In Iranian women, the mortality rate of breast cancer is high due to insufficient screening examinations and delayed visits for care. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors affecting breast self-examinations among Iranian women employed in medical careers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 501 women working in the medical professions at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in western Iran in 2018. The subjects were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed, self-report questionnaire that contained demographic information and questions based on protection motivation theory and social support theory. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and model fitting with PLS version 2.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 37.1±8.3 years, and most of the women (80.4%) were married. Most women had a bachelor's degree (67.5%). The findings of this study showed that the coping appraisal construct was a predictor of protection motivation (β=0.380, p<0.05), and protection motivation (β=0.604, p<0.05) was a predictor of breast self-examination behavior. Additionally, social support theory (β=0.202, p<0.05) had a significant positive effect on breast self-examination behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of practicing self-examinations among women employees in the medical sector was low; considering the influence of social support as a factor promoting screening, it is necessary to pay attention to influential people in women's lives when designing educational interventions.

An Application of the Protection Motivation Theory to Predict Breast Self-Examination Behavior among Female Healthcare Workers

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women and has the highest mortality rate among the women around the world. Early diagnosis of this cancer increases the survival of the patients. The aim of this study was to determine the predictor factors for breast self-examination (BSE) based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) among female healthcare workers in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This analytical-descriptive study was conducted on 501 employed women in age range of 20-61 years old in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in west of Iran during 2018. Participants in the study were random stratified sampling selected. Data collection tools were demographic information and the constructs of PMT. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the logistic regression tests.

RESULTS

The results showed that only 9% of participants performed BSE regularly and monthly. The most important reason for lack of BSE was its triviality. Linear regression analysis showed that the structure of perceived threat appraisal is the predictor of the intention to perform BSE (R2=0.027). Moreover, the logistic regression analysis showed that the protection motivation construct was a strong predictor for BSE (R2=0.25).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of practice of BSE in female healthcare workers is low. Therefore, it is imperative to periodically emphasize the importance of early breast cancer diagnosis for them and the design of educational programs based on the PMT can increase the regular of BSE behavior.

The Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model and Social Support on the Rate of Participation of Individuals in Performing Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background and Aim:

Among the screening tests for colorectal cancer, fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is important in comparison other methods due to its ease of use and low cost.The aim of this study is to survey the effect of educational intervention based on health belief model and social support on the rate of participation of individuals in performing fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening among men who referred to the health centers in FasaCity, Fars province, Iran.

Materials and Methods:

In this quasi-experimental study, 200 men (100 in experimental group and 100 in control group) in FasaCity, Fars province, Iranwere selected in 2017. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self- efficacy and cues to action) and social support was used to measure the rate of participation of individuals in performing Fecal Occult Blood Test for colorectal cancer screening before and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 viadescriptive and inferential statistics, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and independent t-test at a significance level of 0.5.

Results:

The mean age of the men was 63.18 ± 8.25 years in the experimental group and 65.11 ± 7.66 years in the control group. Three months after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in the knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, Self-efficacy, cues to action, social support and the level of referrals (participation) of subjects for FOBTcompared to the control group.

Conclusion:

This study showed the effectiveness of HBM constructs and social support in adoption of the level of participation of subjects for FOBTin men. Hence, these models can act as a framework for designing and implementing educational interventions for undergoing FOBT.

Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on Protection Motivation Theory on Preventing Cervical Cancer among Marginalized Women in West Iran

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention to prevent cervical cancer among marginalized Iranianwomen based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as a theoretical framework. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 143 women of Kermanshah City in western Iran during 2017. Participants were recruited through cluster and simple random sampling and randomly divided into experimental (n=72) and control groups (n=71). All completed a self-administered questionnaire including PMT constructs and demographic variables. An intervention over six sessions was then applied to the experimental group. Reassessment was conducted three months after the intervention, with data was analyzed with SPSS-16 using chi-square, McNemar, paired T- and independent T-tests. Results: The mean scores for the constructs of PMT, and cervical cancer screening behavior showed no significant differences between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05). The educational manipulation had significant effects on the experimental groups’ average response for perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, perceived reward, self-efficacy, response efficacy, response cost and protection motivation (all p < 0.001). Also, the prevalence of regular Pap smear testing and referral to health centers were significantly increased after 3 months in the experimental (P=0.048), but notthe control group (P>0.05). Conclusions: The results show that applying an educational intervention based on PMT might help prevent cervical cancer and improve regular Pap smear testing.

Prediction of Preventive Behaviors of the Needlestick Injuries during Surgery among Operating Room Personnel: Application of the Health Belief Model

Background:

Operating room personnel are at high risk of needlestick injuries (NSIs) and exposure to blood and body fluids.

Objective:

To investigate the predictors of NSIs preventive behaviors during surgery among operating room personnel based on a health belief model (HBM).

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 operating room personnel in Hamadan, western Iran. Participants were selected, by census sampling, from teaching hospitals, completed a self-reported questionnaire including demographic characteristics, knowledge and HBM constructs.

Results:

The levels of knowledge and perceived self-efficacy for the NSIs preventive behaviors among operating room personnel were not satisfactory. However, the levels of perceived benefits, susceptibility and severity were reported to be relatively good. The results showed that the perceived susceptibility (β ‑0.627) and cues to action (β 0.695) were the most important predictors of the NSIs preventive behaviors.

Conclusion:

The framework of the HBM is useful to predict the NSIs preventive behaviors among operating room personnel.