title: Demographic, social cognitive and social ecological predictors of intention and participation in screening for colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research points to differences between predictors of intention to screen for colorectal cancer (CRC) and screening behavior, and suggests social ecological factors may influence screening behavior. The aim of this study was to compare the social cognitive and social ecological predictors of intention to screen with predictors of participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  People aged 50 to 74 years recruited from the electoral roll completed a baseline survey (n = 376) and were subsequently invited to complete an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analyses revealed five predictors of intention to screen and two predictors of participation. Perceived barriers to CRC screening and perceived benefits of CRC screening were the only predictor of both outcomes. There was little support for social ecological factors, but measurement problems may have impacted this finding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has confirmed that the predictors of intention to screen for CRC and screening behaviour, although overlapping, are not the same. Research should focus predominantly on those factors shown to predict participation. Perceptions about the barriers to screening and benefits of screening are key predictors of participation, and provide a focus for intervention programs.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia. tess.gregory@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Tess A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Carlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009780:Occult Blood; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires