Effect of Educational Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on Mammography Performance in Iranian Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Aims: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Asia, including Iran. Mammography is used for the early detection of breast cancer for about 73% of cases. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on mammography among women referring to health centers using planned behavior theory. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 140 women referring to Health Centers in Khorramabad in 2018 who were randomly selected and divided into two experimental and control groups. Data collection tools consisted of a demographic information questionnaire, knowledge, and researcher-made questionnaire based on the TPB structures. The intervention was held in four 45 minute sessions for four weeks. Both groups completed the questionnaires before and three months after the intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software using chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Findings: After the educational intervention, Mean±SD constructs of knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and the behavioral intention was 10.97±5.07, 41.24±3.44, 26.54±5.3, 47.36±3.91, and 8.87±2.78, respectively. All the mentioned constructs were statistically significant (p<0.05). Moreover, the rate and percentage of mammography in women in the experimental group (31=44.3%) compared to the control group (3= 4.3%) was significantly different (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present studychr('39')s findings confirmed the effectiveness of an educational program based on the TPB in promoting mammography.