Association between health literacy and preventive behaviors of breast cancer in women

Healthy literacy is one of the effective indicators in preventive interventions for breast cancer. In view of the relatively high prevalence of breast cancer in women, this study aimed to determine the association between health literacy and preventive behaviors of breast cancer in women. In a cross-sectional study, 300 women referring to comprehensive health centers of Karaj in 2018 were selected through Stratified cluster sampling for participation in the study. The data were collected using a demographic and background questionnaire, Health Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (HELIA) and a standard questionnaire on the adoption of preventive behaviors for breast cancer. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20, descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. The mean and standard deviation of health literacy score was 25.95±15.31 out of 100. 94% (n=282) had low health literacy, 3.3% (n=10) had inadequate health literacy and 2.7% (n=8) had adequate health literacy. Also, the mean and standard deviation of the adoption of preventive behaviors for breast cancer was 12.74±3.97 of 20. The adoption of preventive behaviors for breast cancer was poor in 40% (n=120) of women, 52% (n=156) were moderate and 8% (n=24) were good. Also, the results showed that health literacy and all its five dimensions had a significant and direct correlation with the prevention of breast cancer (P<0.05). In order to promote the adoption of breast cancer preventive behaviors in women, special attention should be paid to health literacy, especially in comprehensive health centers.