Survey of Breast Self-Exam and Mammography Compliance among Female Healthcare Workers in Aq Qala City, Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The objective of this study was to determine the breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography compliance based on health belief model constructs among female healthcare workers in the city of Aq Qala. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study between November ۲۰۱۵ and February ۲۰۱۶ in Aq Qala city, northern Iran. In this regard, we selected ۲۶۱ female healthcare workers through census. Data were gathered using Rakowski’s stages of change and Champion health belief model scale. We entered the collected data into SPSS ۱۶ and analyzed them via descriptive statistical techniques along with Kruskal- Wallis, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed that ۲۶.۴ % of the participants performed regular BSE and ۱۹.۳% underwent regular mammogram. Those with regular BSE had significantly more health motivation and self-efficacy (P≤۰.۰۵). Physicians had more susceptibility and self-efficacy for BSE and less BSE barriers (P≤۰.۰۵). There was a negative correlation between BSE confidence and barriers (r=-۰.۳۷۶). The results of binary logistic regression revealed that confidence was the only variable influencing BSE (OR=۱.۷۷, ۹۵% CI=۱.۲۲, ۲.۵۷۲). Conclusion: Almost one-fourth of female healthcare workers of Aq Qala performed regular BSE. Moreover, one-fifth of women over ۴۰ years of age underwent regular mammograms. Participants who performed regular BSE had higher health motivation, BSE self-efficacy, and lower perceived barriers. BSE adherence was more in physicians than in other groups. We recommend increasing confidence to surmount the barriers to perform BSE.