A Health Belief Model-Based Cross-Sectional Study on Breast Self-Examination Awareness, Practices, and Influencing Factors Among Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Women in China
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 进行中（未招募）
- 入组人数
- 3,000
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Percentage of Participants Performing Regular Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
研究概览
简要总结
This observational study aims to evaluate the current status of breast self-examination (BSE) practices and related influencing factors among middle-aged and older women in urban communities, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The HBM is a well-established public health model for understanding preventive health behaviors, focusing on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy.
The study will recruit community-dwelling women above approximately 40 years of age who have adequate cognitive and communication abilities. Data collection will be conducted through structured questionnaires administered during community health education activities. The survey will collect demographic information (e.g., age, occupation, education level, family history of breast cancer) and BSE-related variables, including awareness of breast cancer, perceived benefits and barriers to screening, knowledge of BSE methods, and sources of health information.
The primary outcome is the prevalence of regular BSE practices among participants. Secondary outcomes include factors associated with regular BSE performance, such as age group, occupation type, education level, family history, and knowledge of BSE techniques. Logistic regression will be used to identify independent predictors of regular BSE practices.
Findings from this study will help identify key gaps between awareness and practice, guide targeted community-based health education, and provide evidence for developing accessible, culturally appropriate breast cancer screening strategies in China. Ultimately, the results are expected to improve early detection rates and reduce the proportion of locally advanced breast cancer cases.
详细描述
This observational cross-sectional study is designed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of breast self-examination (BSE) practices among community-dwelling women in China, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. While imaging-based screening programs have improved early detection rates in many high-income countries, large segments of the population in low- and middle-income settings still face barriers to regular breast cancer screening. In China, BSE remains a practical and low-cost complementary method for early detection, particularly in areas where mammography coverage is incomplete.
The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a theoretical framework widely used to explain preventive health behaviors and adherence to disease management. It encompasses six core dimensions: (1) perceived susceptibility to the disease, (2) perceived severity of the disease, (3) perceived benefits of preventive actions, (4) perceived barriers to taking action, (5) cues to action, and (6) self-efficacy in carrying out the preventive behavior. The present study applies the HBM framework to systematically assess the psychosocial and cognitive factors influencing BSE behaviors in Chinese women.
Study Population and Setting Participants will be recruited from multiple community health centers in Beijing. Eligible participants are women aged approximately 40 years and above, who are permanent residents in the community, possess adequate cognitive and communication abilities, and provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria include history of breast cancer, severe psychiatric illness, or inability to complete the survey.
Data Collection Procedures
Data will be collected during community health promotion activities between June 2023 and June 2025. A standardized, structured questionnaire will be used, consisting of two major sections:
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Cohort
- 时间视角
- Cross Sectional
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 40 Years 至 99 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Self-identified females aged approximately 40 years and older.
- •Permanent residents of the selected community for at least 6 months.
- •Able to communicate and understand the survey questions clearly.
- •Provide informed consent to participate in the study.
排除标准
- •History of breast cancer or other serious breast diseases requiring ongoing treatment.
- •Cognitive impairment, severe mental illness, or other conditions affecting the ability to answer the questionnaire.
- •Temporary residents or those planning to leave the community within 6 months.
- •Refusal to fill out survey.
结局指标
主要结局
Percentage of Participants Performing Regular Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
时间窗: Day 1
Percentage of surveyed women who report performing BSE at least once per month, assessed through a standardized questionnaire at the time of study participation.
次要结局
- Percentage of Participants Knowing the Correct Method of BSE(Day 1)
- Percentage of Participants Aware of the Importance of BSE(Day 1)
- Distribution of Self-Reported Barriers to Regular Health Examinations(Day 1)