Factors Associated With Breast Cancer Preventive Behaviors Among Female Health Ambassadors in Khoy: An Analysis Based...

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among Iranian women, and early detection plays a pivotal role in reducing mortality. This study was aimed at investigating factors associated with breast cancer preventive behaviors among female health ambassadors in Khoy, using the protection motivation theory as the theoretical framework.

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 160 female health ambassadors in Khoy in 2023. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire based on protection motivation theory constructs, including knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self-efficacy, response efficacy, response costs, fear, and protection motivation. Data were analyzed using Stata Version 18, applying backward linear regression to identify factors associated with breast cancer preventive behaviors.

Among demographic variables, university education (B = 2.05, p = 0.008) and employment status (B = 1.58, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with breast cancer preventive behaviors. Among protection motivation theory constructs, fear (B = 0.32, p < 0.001) showed the strongest association, followed by protection motivation (B = 0.25, p = 0.007), knowledge (B = 0.10, p = 0.002), and perceived severity (B = 0.09, p < 0.001); all variables were significantly associated with preventive behaviors. The final model explained 65.6% of the variance in preventive behaviors (R ² = 0.656, adjusted R ² = 0.639, p < 0.001).

The findings support the applicability of the protection motivation theory in explaining breast cancer preventive behaviors among female health ambassadors in Khoy City. Theory-based educational interventions, potentially tailored for similar demographic groups characterized by lower education levels and unemployment, may help strengthen preventive practices. However, due to the cross-sectional design of this study and its focus on a specific population in a single city, the observed relationships should be interpreted strictly as associations rather than causal effects, and these results cannot be generalized to all Iranian women. These findings highlight the potential role of community health educators in developing targeted community-based prevention programs for specific at-risk populations.