Effects of Nursing Interventions Planned with the Health Promotion Models on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Behaviors of the Women

www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org Original Article Effects of Nursing Interventions Planned with the Health Promotion Models on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Behaviors of the Women Fatma Ersin, PhD Assist. Prof. Harran University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Nursing, Sanliurfa, Turkey Zuhal Bahar, PhD Prof. Dokuz Eylul University School of Nursing, Department of Community Health Nursing, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey Correspondence: Fatma Ersin, Assist.Prof. Harran University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Nursing, Sanliurfa, Turkey e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Background: Breast cancer and cervical cancer are important community health problems and the chance of surviving increases when diagnosed early. Objective: The study was conducted to ensure them to perform the breast and cervical cancer early detection behaviors of women over age 40. Methods: Research sample was composed of 100 women, 50 of whom constituted the experiment group and 50 of whom constituted the control group. It is an quasi-experimental study. In the collection of the data, Information Forms related to the Socio-Demographical attributes and the Previous Behaviors, Health Belief Model Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II-Health Responsibility Subscale were used. Results: At the end of the nursing interventions performed by using the health promotion models, it was found that rates and perceptions of the women concerning the breast and cervical cancer early detection behaviors were higher in the experiment group when compared to the control group. Besides, a significant decrease was detected in the inhibiting factors perception of the experiment group. Conclusions: Positive changes observed in the breast and cervical cancer early detection behaviors of the women as a result of the nursing interventions shows the efficiency of the nursing interventions based on the Health Belief Model and the Health Promotion Model. Spreading these interventions to the national level is of importance in maintaining the continuity of the positive changes.