DETERMINING THE HEALTH BELIEFS OF ADULTS REGARDING COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING: A CROSSSECTIONAL RESEARCH

Objective: Although colorectal cancers are the third type of cancer frequently seen in the world, participation in screening programs is not at the desired level. This study aimed to determine the health beliefs of individuals in regard to colorectal cancer prevention. Materials and Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 506 adult individuals registered in primary healthcare centers in Izmir. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews between April 2018 and April 2019 using a Socio-demographic Information Form and a Health Belief Model Scale for Colorectal Cancer Screening. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and regression analysis using the SPSS 20 statistical software package were employed to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.42 +/- 7.47, 64.2% were female, 58.5% were found to have a chronic disease. On the other hand, 58.1% stated they knew about screening tests, while 65.6% said they had never undergone any screening tests previously. Variables such as having a chronic disease, possessing knowledge about screening tests, exercising, the perception of confidence/benefits, and the perception of barriers were found to have a significant effect on individuals in terms of undergoing a fecal occult blood test. Conclusions: The majority of participants were found to not participate in colorectal cancer screening behaviors. Gender, smoking and exercising were found to have an effect on individuals' beliefs regarding colorectal cancer prevention. It is recommended that future studies be carried out to enhance individuals' knowledge levels and enhance their perceptions of the utility of such screening.