Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, E4-88 Van Vliet Centre, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H9, Canada

2 Department of Gynecology, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Pasdaran Street, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Despite evidence that screening for breast cancer is effective, adherence with
screening recommendations in Iranian women is low. The purposes of this study were to
(1) identify the associations between individual characteristics, related health beliefs, and stages
of mammography behavior and (2) examine the socio‑demographic factors and the health
beliefs that predicate stages of mammography behavior. Design: All health care centers were
considered as clusters and 30 women were randomly selected from each of them. A sample of
689 Iranian women completed a questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire
used was based on Champion’s revised Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). One‑way analysis
of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess differences in the outcome variables (perceived
severity, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers) across the stages. Multinomial logistic regression
was conducted to test multivariate relationships. Results: The percentage of participants in
each stage was: 40.1% in pre‑contemplation, 34.7 in contemplation, 7.5% in relapse, 12%
in action, and 5.7% in maintenance stage of mammography adoption. Older women were
most likely to be in the pre‑contemplation stage and action stage, and the youngest women
were most likely to be in the relapse stage. Differences across stages of change were found
for related beliefs for all participants except those in the relapse stage. Conclusion: Iranian
women are less likely to be in maintenance and action stages than ot er Asian women and
this study identifies constructs that may be targeted in interventions.

Keywords

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