Background: Pender's Health Promotion Model is a theory commonly used in health education programs to effectively predict health behaviors. The present study investigates the predictors of preventive behaviors for common cancers in women based on the Pender’s model.
Methods: This study employed a correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The research was carried out at Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 299 married, employed women, aged 30 years and older, were recruited for the study. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and scales for awareness, preventive behaviors, and all constructs of Pender's Health Promotion Model. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Stata software, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Findings: TThe mean score for breast and cervical cancer awareness was 22.18 (range: 0–29), and the mean score for performing preventive behaviors was 8.31 (range: 4–20). Scores for Pender’s Health Promotion Model constructs were as follows: perceived self-efficacy, 16.99 (range: 4–20); perceived benefits, 19.10 (range: 4–20); perceived barriers, 23.59 (range: 11–55); feelings related to behavior, 42.69 (range: 11–55); impact of interpersonal influencers, 16.88 (range: 6–30); situational influencers, 11.97 (range: 4–20); commitment to behavior, 12.54 (range: 4–20); preferences and immediate demands, 4.88 (range: 2–10); and previous related behavior, 16.09 (range: 5–25). Preventive behavior showed no significant relationship with awareness (P > 0.05). However, breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors had a significant direct relationship with Pender model constructs (r = 0.035–0.564, P < 0.05), except for perceived barriers, which had a significant inverse relationship (r = −0.295, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Awareness of breast and cervical cancer among women has been satisfactory; however, engagement in cancer preventive behaviors remains inadequate. No significant correlation was observed between awareness and cancer preventive behaviors. Barriers to performing these behaviors include the financial burden of screenings, fear of undergoing a Pap smear, lack of knowledge about the procedure, insufficient information about available screening centers, and negative perceptions associated with these behaviors. Staff at comprehensive health centers should prioritize facilitating referrals to screening programs and implementing proactive strategies to encourage cancer preventive behaviors among women