Validation of an Eastern Armenian breast cancer health belief survey

Abstract

With the fourth highest breast cancer mortality rate in the world, breast cancer prevention and early detection is a priority for Armenia. The Ministry of Health recently initiated efforts to expand access to breast cancer screening. However, little is known about the population’s understanding and perception of breast cancer screening programs. This cross-sectional telephone-based study sought to develop and validate an Eastern Armenian language version of the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for future use. The English-language CHBMS survey was first rigorously translated by two Armenian nationals and evaluated for face validity. Telephone surveys were then administered to randomly-selected women of approximately screening age (35–65 years) with no prior history of breast cancer living in Armenia’s capital between 2019–2020 (n = 103). The translated survey’s psychometric properties were evaluated, examining (1) content equivalence, (2) test-retest reliability and (3) internal consistency. Content equivalence and test-retest reliability of the Armenian CHBMS were characterized using correlational analysis with Pearson’s coefficient ranging from 0.76–0.97 (p<0.001) and 0.72–0.97 (p<0.001), respectively, for all five CHBMS domains. The translated survey’s internal consistency was comparable to the original English-language CHBMS with a Cronbach’s alpha greater than 0.7 for all five domains (0.75–0.94 (p<0.001). The translated Eastern Armenian version of CHBMS is a valid, internally-consistent, and reliable research tool that is ready for imminent use among screening-age women to investigate breast cancer perceptions and beliefs as the Armenian government seeks to expand screening access.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Perceptions of Women in Yerevan, Armenia

“…Prior to conducting the survey, women were asked filter questions to ensure they met eligibility criteria and verbal consent was obtained. The surveyors then administered a previously-validated Armenian-language survey instrument to eligible, consenting participants [ 11 ]. The first half of this structured questionnaire evaluates participants’ demographics and prior exposure to breast cancer and breast cancer screening, while the second half is an adapted version of the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS).…”

“…To examine the individual level, one of the most widely used social behavior frameworks is the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) [ 10 ]. This study employs a rigorously-translated and adapted Eastern Armenian version of the CHBMS to understand individual health beliefs that would influence screening uptake [ 11 ]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the individual knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of screening-age Armenian women towards breast cancer screening.…”