Semra Ay
Celal Bayar University, Turkey
Title: “Nurses’ Beliefs and Practices Related to Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination determined with the Health Belief Modelâ€
Biography
Biography: Semra Ay
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer, the most widespread type of cancer in women, is an important public health problem not only in Turkey but also in the world. The purpose of this study is to determine factors affecting nurses’ beliefs and practices related to breast cancer and breast self-examination with the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: This study designed as across-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire which was based on the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Results: Of the nurses who participated in the research, 52.1% were in the 30-39 age group (n = 493). The scores obtained from the susceptibility subscale of CHBMS were higher among the nurses in the 50-59 age group, married, having previous pregnancies, having meat-/fat-based diet, having first-degree relatives with breast cancer history and performing BSE regularly. In this study, the scores obtained from the perceived benefits of performing BSE and self-efficacy subscales increased as the nurses’ education levels increased, which can be explained by the fact that the nurses developed preventive and health promoting behaviors during their university and graduate education. The nurses with higher income levels, nonsmokers, having regular breast ultrasonography and performing BSE regularly obtained higher mean scores from the perceived benefits of BSE subscale.