Turkish social attitudes towards to cancer prevention: a health belief model study

• Published in: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP Vol. 15; no. 18; pp. 7935 - 7940
• Main Authors: Tasci-Duran, Emel, Koc, Sukran, Korkmaz, Medet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thailand 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Early Detection of Cancer - statistics & numerical data; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Neoplasms - psychology; Prognosis; Religion; Social Perception; Turkey; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1513-7368; 2476-762X
• DOI: 10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.18.7935

This research was planned to reveal society's attitude towards cancer and early diagnosis using the health belief model. This study was planned as descriptive research in Isparta. A random sample of n=256 individuals of both genders was recruited at the largest shopping center. As a means of collection tool, a survey consisted of two forms, the first designed for sociodemographic information and the second covering 29 questions suitable for the content of Health Belief Model. Of the participants, 66.8% were female and 33.2% were male, and the average age was 33.3±11.0 years. Some 46.1% partly thought that they may develop cancer, and 49.6% were afraid of this possibility. As many as 50% indicated that cancer is an issue that comes from Allah. A significant difference was found between not going for control unless feeling bad, and blood analysis for cancer screening (χ2=3.780 p= 0.03). It was seen that in an area with a high rate of cancer, people's awareness of cancer prevention and early diagnosis and attitudes towards these are insufficient.