Application of PEN-3 model in promoting early detection of breast cancer in women living on the suburbs

Although breast cancer is one of the biggest threats to women's health, preventive behaviors among women are not desirable, especially in vulnerable populations. This study aimed to assess the effect of an educational intervention on promoting breast cancer preventive behaviors in middle-aged women. It was performed on the outskirts of Mashhad, Iran

In this quasi-experimental study in 2017, women referring to comprehensive health service centers in the suburbs of Mashhad were randomly selected and divided into intervention (n = 60) and control (n = 60) groups. The educational intervention was performed in 4 sessions based on the structures of PEN-3 model. A self-designed questionnaire was completed immediately and two months after the educational intervention by the target group.

The mean of constructs of perceptual, empowering, and reinforcing factors were significantly higher in women with higher education. Despite the lack of statistically significant differences between the two groups before the educational intervention, but immediately and two months after the intervention, the mean scores of PEN-3 model constructs and preventive behaviors in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05).

The findings showed that educational intervention based on PEN-3 model constructs was effective on improving preventive behaviors among marginalized women.