Factors related to the intention to perform a fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening, based on the Health Belief Model and health literacy: A cross-sectional study

Zahra Khazir; Mohammad Saeed Jadgal; Javad Shahraki

doi:10.1016/j.enfcle.2025.502295

Factors related to the intention to perform a fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening, based on the Health Belief Model and health literacy: A cross-sectional study

Enferm Clin (Engl Ed). 2025 Oct 31:502295. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcle.2025.502295. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zahra Khazir¹, Mohammad Saeed Jadgal², Javad Shahraki³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran.
² Tropical and Communicable Diseases Research Center, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran; Department of Public Health, Chabahar University of Medical Sciences, Chabahar, Iran. Electronic address: jadgal15@gmail.com.
³ Department of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

PMID: 41177288
DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcle.2025.502295

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers, accounting for approximately 10% of cancer-related deaths. This study aimed to determine determine factors associated with the intention to perform a fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening, based on the health belief model and health literacy.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, 170 elderly people were selected through multi-stage simple random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising demographic and background characteristics, health literacy questions, and the Health Belief Model constructs. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 through descriptive and analytical tests.

Results: Logistic regression results showed that self-efficacy (OR = 1.40, P = .000), access dimension (OR = 0.28, P = .009), understanding and comprehension dimension (OR = 0.05, P = .000), and history of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the last month (OR = 0.03, P = .000) increased the likelihood of intending to undergo colorectal cancer screening.

Conclusion: It seems that using a health belief model combined with health literacy with an emphasis on self-efficacy constructs, access, and understanding of health information can increase individuals' intention to undergo FOBT.

Keywords: Alfabetización en salud; Colorectal cancer; Cáncer colorrectal; Health Belief Model; Health literacy; Modelo de creencias de salud.