Volume 13, Issue 2 (2025)                   Health Educ Health Promot 2025, 13(2): 227-233 | Back to browse issues page


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Jamei Z, Hosseini F, Mohammadi Zeidi I, Morshedi H. Health Literacy and the Health Action Process Approach in Predicting Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors. Health Educ Health Promot 2025; 13 (2) :227-233
URL: http://hehp.modares.ac.ir/article-5-79759-en.html
1- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Abstract:   (220 Views)
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the role of health literacy and the health action process approach in predicting the adoption of breast cancer screening behaviors among Iranian women.
Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted on 350 women aged 30 to 69 years who were served by comprehensive health centers in the city of Alborz, Qazvin Province, Iran, selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tools included a demographic information form, questionnaires related to the constructs of the health action process approach, and a short version of the Health Literacy Measurement Scale for Iranian Adults. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 25 software using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for assessing data normality, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), and multiple regression analysis to predict screening behavior.
Findings: The mean age of the participating women was 44.73±10.22 years. The average health literacy score was 29.54, indicating a low level of health literacy. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between health literacy and the performance of breast screening tests, such that women with higher education levels, spouses with higher education, a history of mammography and breast self-examination, better financial status, employment, and health insurance coverage had higher health literacy. The constructs of perceived risk, perceived barriers, and coping planning explained 24% of the variance in screening behavior.
Conclusion: The health action process approach enhances women’s participation in breast cancer screening.
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Article Type: Descriptive & Survey | Subject: Health Literacy
Received: 2025/03/3 | Accepted: 2025/05/8 | Published: 2025/05/12
* Corresponding Author Address: Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar Boulevard, Qazvin, Iran. Postal Code: 34197-59811 (hadimorshedi1961@gmail.com)

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