Application of theory of planned behavior in predicting screening mammography in housewives over 40 years

Background and Objective: Given the high incidence of breast cancer in Iranian women and their lack of interest in performing screening mammography, determining the most important predicting structures of mammography behavior can provide the possibility of promoting interventions for this behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective structures of the theory of planned behavior on screening mammography in housewives over 40 years.

Materials and Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study included 294 women over 40 years in the city of Arak. They completed the theory of planned behavior questionnaire in relation to screening mammography. Then, using linear and logistic regression, the predictor variables of behavior and intention of the mammography were identified.

Results: The mean age of participants was 47.33 years (with a mean of 4.95 and range of 40-58 years). In the provided model to predict performing of screening mammography, the behavior intention structure (OR = 5.17, p < 0.001) was the most important predictor. Regarding the productivity of mammography intention, the three structures of subjective norms (R2 = 0.21, p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (R2 = 0.16, p < 0.001) and knowledge (R2 = 0.13, p < 0.001) was the predictors of this intention.

Conclusion: Based on our results, the structures of intention, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms of the theory of planned behavior are the predictors of mammography behavior. Thus, the theory-based and promoting mammography behavior interventions in the housewives can be designed based on this model.