The Effect of Health Belief Model for Preventing and Controlling Cancer Risk Behaviors among School Age Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

2 Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a major cause of mortality in all over the world. The cancer
problem in children and adolescents is large enough to be considered a warning of an
impending worldwide. Educating children about cancer risks can improve awareness and
introduce healthy lifestyle habits. Cancer prevention education must begin at an early age,
because the foundation for more health-impacting risk behaviors later in life is forming at
this age. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the health belief
model for preventing and controlling cancer risk behaviors among school age children.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on a purposive
sample of 100 school age children was selected from two governmental schools affiliated
to Beni-Suef city. The data gathering tools were two questionnaires including cancer
knowledge questionnaire and health belief model constructs questionnaire which were
used. It used to measure practices for preventing and controlling cancer risk behaviors.
The Questionnaires were completed before, immediately, and three months later after the
intervention. Results: The present study results indicated that immediately and three
months later after the intervention, the knowledge of studied children improved
significantly and the mean scores of the health belief model constructs (Perceived
susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and preventive
cancer risks behaviors was increased than pre the program (P<0.001).Conclusion: The
findings of the present study confirmed the practicability and effectiveness of the Health
Belief Model based educational program in enhancing children's lifestyle behaviors about
preventing and controlling cancer risks. Hence, these models can act as a framework for
designing and implementing educational interventions for the cancer prevention at
schools. Recommendation: The importance should be given to these classes in schools,
try to increase children’s perception of cancer risks, explain the benefits of protective
behavior.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2022
Pages 1488-1509

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