Analyzing Factors Associated with the Behavior-Change Stage of Colorectal Cancer Screening

This study attempted to identify the stages of colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) behavior change by applying the precaution adoption process model (PAPM) and to examine the factors affecting each stage. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. A total of 305 workers at one of the largest industrial complexes in South Korea were allocated using convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one way ANOVA and multi-nominal logistic regression using SPSS 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Most of the subjects were in the undecided-to-act stage. The factors affecting each stage were gender, marital status, family history, private insurance subscription, perceived barrier, and self-efficacy. It is critical to select a target group considering the behavioral change stage to establish a strategy for improving the CRCS rate. Developing and implementing a CRCS education program in consideration of the behavioral change stage will be a strategy to increase the examination of effectiveness of CRCS.