Beliefs and Behaviors toward Breast Cancer Screening among Women in Rural Southern Iran: A Health Belief Model Approach

Shahrzad   Aseel; Mahkameh  Moradimehrabadi; Masoumeh  Karimi; Adnan  Ahmadiazad; Mohammad  Shahbazi

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20261

Shahrzad Aseel Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jackson State University (JSU), Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Graduated
Mahkameh Moradimehrabadi Technical Manager, Darugostar Medicine Distribution Center, Shiraz, Iran
Masoumeh Karimi School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
Adnan Ahmadiazad Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, Jackson State University, Jackson,MS,USA
Mohammad Shahbazi Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, Jackson State University, Jackson,MS,USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20261

Keywords: Breast cancer, women, Iran

Abstract

Background: Early detection of breast cancer through screening significantly improves survival rates; however, there is limited understanding of rural Iranian women’s beliefs and behaviors related to breast cancer screening. This study explores these beliefs and behaviors among women in the Khonj region of Iran, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 394 women aged 20–68 using a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action), and screening behaviors (BSE, CBE, mammography). Pearson correlations and logistic regression analyzed relationships between beliefs, risk factors, and screening behaviors.

Results: The HBM focuses on the beliefs of the individual about health conditions to predict health-related behaviors. The model predicts that the higher the perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefit of a desired health behavior, the higher the likelihood of engagement in health-promoting behavior. This study revealed that participants had a low perceived susceptibility towards breast cancer (mean=2.34± 2.48) and a low confidence in doing a breast self-examination (mean=5.47± 4.68). However, they had a relatively high perceived benefit towards clinical breast examination (mean=15.15± 5.85) and mammography (mean=17.21± 7.91). Overall, participants perceiving the severity of breast cancer positively affected their perception of the benefits of getting breast self-examination (r =.119, p <.05), clinical breast examination (r =.276, p <.05), and mammogram (r =.238, p <.05).

Conclusions: Women recognized the seriousness of breast cancer and the benefits of screening, but low perceived susceptibility and limited self-efficacy restricted participation in preventive behaviors. Accordingly, interventions targeting self-efficacy, BSE skills training, and provider-led CBE programs were recommended. Since early detection is the key to survival rate, raising awareness of breast cancer can positively affect the quality of life for women.