To determine the predictive power of Health Action Process Approach Model in Breast self-examination

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Breast self-examination is a way to decrease breast cancer is through early detection. Existing behavioral theories developed such as the Health Action Process Approach Model (HAPA) may be useful tools to help tackle this challenge. We examined the relationships between HAPA factors and breast self-examination behavior. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, four hundred women were studied. A multistage cluster sample of women 40 and older was applied. First, 10 health networks at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences of Iran (SBUMS) were selected North, East, Shemiranat networks. After that from each Health network, five Urban Health centers were selected. Then from each health center, twenty-seven women over 40 years were randomly selected. Data were collected by questionnaires and self-reports and analyzed using statistical tests T, Correlation regression analysis. Findings: The means of age participants was 45.6±5.4. The predictors of breast self-examination were determined by the structures of health action process approach (HAPA) Model. The results regression analysis showed that breast self-examination behavior prediction rate, using the structures of health action process approach (HAPA) Model was generally 67%. Conclusion: This study has shown the effectiveness of the health action process approach (HAPA) Model to predict the breast self-examination in women 40 years and older. So, it seems that the theory as a framework for designing training programs to improve women s health and to reduce deaths from breast cancer can be used.

کلیدواژه ها:

health action process approach model ، breast cancer ، breast self-examination