Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer among adults in Iran. CRC screening is an effective way in reducing mortality rate from this cancer. However, the screening rate of CRC is very low among Iranian adults. This study investigated predictors of Iranian average-risk adults ' intention to take up CRC screening with fecal occult blood test using a mediator model.
Methods: Participants of this cross-sectional study comprised of 477 average-risk adults who were selected using a national sampling frame in Hamadan city, west of Iran. Data was collected through the questionnaire based on the preventive health model constructs. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the relationship using Smart PLS 2.0 software.
Results: All measures were robust in terms of the reliability and validity. Benefit (b = 0.12, p < 0.01), self- efficacy (b = 0.36, p < 0.01), social support (b = 0.10, p < 0.05) and barriers (b = -0.14, p < 0.01) predicted the intention to be screened for CRC. Self- efficacy partly mediated the effects of social support and perceived barriers on intention. The study model explained approximately 24% of the variance in CRC screening intention with fecal occult blood test.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the preventive health model constructs such as self -efficacy, social support and barriers are useful in understanding CRC screening intentions and can help health planners to develop effective interventions to encourage Iranian adults to undergo CRC screening.
Keywords: Colorectal neoplasms; Iran; Preventive health model.