Using of Health Belief Model in educational based program and its effect on knowledge and attitudes of women on breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes mortality by cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer affects Iranian women at least one decade younger than their counterparts in developed countries. Early detection of breast cancer through screening is the only option available to women. The Health Belief Model is one of the models asserting values and beliefs about health that has been widely used to explain screening behavior. In this interventional study 180 women who referred to the Health Center for health services, were participated (randomized sampling) in the study and allocated to case and control groups. They were interviewed by a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire which contained demographic variables and questions about knowledge of breast cancer, screening methods of breast cancer (Breast Self Examination, Clinical Breast Examination and mammography) and attitudes was based on the Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, barriers and benefit perceived). In the first stage, educational Intervention was performed after data was collected by the questionnaire and in the second stage (after one month) data was collected and analyzed by using of t-test. The mean age of women in case and control groups was respectively 35.45(11.96) and 36.45(10.47). Results showed that the mean score of knowledge and all constructs of the Health Belief Model in the experimental group increased after the educational intervention in comparison with the control group (P < 0/001). Perceived barriers had the highest mean among other constructs after the educational intervention. This study shows the necessity to organize a series of health education programs to enlighten women about breast cancer. Our results highlight the health education, promotional campaigns and public health policy aimed at these underrepresented groups.