Association between health literacy and adopting preventive behaviors of breast cancer in Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health literacy plays an important role in adopting preventive behaviors. Considering the relatively high prevalence of breast cancer in women, this study aimed to assess the association between health literacy and adopting the preventive behavior of breast cancer in Iran. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, in which 375 female students at Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin in the academic year of 2018–2019 were selected through a stratified random sampling method. Demographic and background questionnaire, the standard questionnaire of Health Literacy for Iranian Adults in addition to another questionnaire for measuring breast cancer preventive behaviors, were used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean of the breast cancer preventive behaviors and health literacy were 8.92 ± 1.82 out of 16 and 70.80 ± 12.49 out of 100. Regression results showed that there was a statistically significant association between the adoption of breast cancer preventive behaviors and physical activity ( P < 0.001) and health literacy ( P < 0.018). Accordingly, the chance for adopting the preventive behaviors in good level among students with rare and without physical activity was 0.105 and 0.100 times, respectively, more than students who had been doing physical activity on a daily basis. Moreover, the same chance among students with adequate and very adequate health literacy was 1.802 and 2.169 times more than students with inadequate health literacy. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that students with lower levels of health literacy and less physical activity had shown less tendency to adopt preventive behaviors of breast cancer. Therefore, special attention should be paid to health literacy (HL), particularly physical activity, application of health information, and assessment in students when designing educational programs to prevent breast cancer.

Promoting the adoption of behaviors to prevent osteoporosis using the health belief model integrated with health literacy: quasi-experimental intervention study

“…The HBM has great potential in preventing osteoporosis [ 17 – 19 ] and promoting HL [ 9 ], in turn, HL plays a crucial role in preventing osteoporosis [ 11 , 20 ], adoption of preventive behaviors [ 13 , 21 ], and adoption of behaviors such as physical activity [ 22 ]. In addition, the use of the HL along with HBM, can facilitate and strengthen the performance of this model in adoption of preventive behaviors.…”

Relationship between health literacy and knowledge, attitude, and performance regarding cancer warning signs

“…[ 31 ] and Panahi et al . [ 21 ] reported a desirable level of HL, as obtained by HELIA, among Iranian adults. However, an inadequate level of HL, measured by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA), was reported in Iranian women who were referred to community health centers for cancer screening.…”

“…HL is a social determinant of health associated with cancer-related disparities and is considered a cancer-preventive strategy among adults. [ 20 21 ] Moreover, adults' KAP regarding cancer warning signs has an important role in the early diagnosis of cancer in Iran, where the majority of patients with cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. [ 1 7 22 ] However, Iranian adults do not have an ideal KAP in this regard.…”

The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy and sexual health education on sexual assertiveness of newly married women

“…Many educational and psychological interventions have been used to solve sexual problems and improve marital conflicts [ 12 – 16 ]. Obviously, achieving the sexual and reproductive health is influenced by literacy, knowledge, and awareness of various aspects of this field, as well as the appropriate self-care practices of the individual [ 17 ]. In fact, adequate sexual health literacy increases a person’s skill in analyzing, judging, discussing, making decision, and changing sexual behavior and empowers him/her in providing, maintaining, and improving sexual health [ 18 ].…”