title: The influence of psycho-social factors on participation levels in community-based breast cancer prevention programs in Tehran, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although significant consideration has been devoted to women participation in breast cancer prevention programs, our understanding about the psychosocial factors which influence participation remains incomplete.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study applied a quantitative approach based on the cross-sectional survey design and multistage cluster random sampling. A total of 400 women aged 35-69 years, were surveyed at 4 obstetric and gynecologic clinics affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran: the participation levels of 86 women who have had a mammogram were analyzed based on their self-efficacy, belief, social influence, and barriers concerning mammography utilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with the study framework, in bivariate analysis, the higher level of women's participation in breast cancer prevention programs was significantly related to more positive belief about mammography (p< .05), greater social influence on mammography (p< .01) and fewer barriers to mammography (p< .01). Self efficacy (p= .114) was not significantly related to the higher level of participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that women's participation levels in breast cancer prevention programs might be associated with the specific psychosocial factors on breast cancer preventive behavior such as mammography screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Development Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Marydian50@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadian
authors.forename: Asnarulkhadi Abu
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Samah
authors.forename: Ma'rof
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Redzuan
authors.forename: Zahid
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Emby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*