Stages of Changes, Breast Self-Examination Practice and Related Health Beliefs in Women- a Theory-Based Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Breast self-examination is an important, inexpensive and easy method to detect breast cancer and is recommended monthly for women who are twenty years old and above. This study aimed to investigate the stages of changes, breast self-examination practice and related beliefs in women of Gilan-e Gharb city. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted with the participation of 299 literate women of Gilan-e Gharb city in 2015. The data were collected using a questionnaire including demographics, health beliefs and stages of behaviour change and questions related to the breast self-examination. A ten-step checklist was used to measure the accuracy of breast self-examination. The reliability and validity of the instruments were assessed and verified using appropriate methods. The data were analysed by SPSS 19 using the measure of descriptive statistics, T-test, Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and regression. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 32.9 +/- 6.1 years. Generally, the distribution of individuals according to the breast self-exam stages was as follows: Pre-contemplation 22.1, contemplation 25.7, preparation 22.9, action 4.3 and maintenance 25. People who conducted a regular breast self-examination had higher self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and accuracy scores (p<.005). Stages of change, self-efficacy and perceived barriers were the most important predictors of breast self-exam in this study (p-value=.001). CONCLUSION The results showed that the majority of the participants do not implement regular breast self-examination and has been placed in passive stages of behaviour change. Stages of change, self-efficacy and perceived barriers were the most important predictors of breast self-exam in this study.