Knowledge and Health Beliefs of Staff of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, on Colorectal Cancer and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Research Based on Health Belief Model

Awareness of people about the risk factors of the disease and prevention strategies has a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of diseases. Considering the high prevalence of cancer in Iran, the present research was carried out to determine the awareness and health beliefs of staff of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, on colorectal cancer and related factors using Health Belief Model (HBM).

In this cross-sectional study, 101 employees were selected from among 4 schools of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences through cluster sampling method. Data collection tool was a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire including demographic questions and health belief and behavior pattern items. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS software. P-value less than 0.050 was considered as the significance level.

The mean score of participantschr('39') knowledge was 66.80 ± 18.37; 48.5% of them had low, 28.7% had moderate, and the rest had high level of knowledge about colorectal cancer. Perceived benefits and perceived sensitivity had the highest and the lowest mean, respectively. Increasing age, family history of cancer, and education were factors that influenced employeeschr('39') awareness of colorectal cancer.

Considering that about half of the staff had low level of awareness about colorectal cancer, it is suggested that programs be conducted to change the behavior of individuals in order to prevent the onset of this cancer, so that in addition to increasing awareness and promoting health beliefs, an ever greater reduction in the incidence of this disease occurs.