Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Explain Women's Role in Prostate Cancer Screening.
OBJECTIVE
To test the suitability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for explaining Italian women's role in prostatic cancer screening promotion.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional, online self-report survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 235 Italian women. Variables included attitudes women's role, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, behavioral intention, and prostate cancer screening promotion behavior. A survey composed of the Eastland Prostate Cancer Survey subscales that were consistent with the TPB was distributed via e-mail to potential participants. The survey was live for 12 weeks (March 2013 to May 2013). Responses were collated with eSurv.org. Data were analyzed using latent path analysis and structural equation modeling.


RESULTS
Behavioral intentions in promoting prostate cancer screening significantly predicted the likelihood of the Italian women to adopt self-reported prostate cancer screening promotion behaviors. In addition, the exclusive direct impact of the intentions explained 39% of the variance in self-reported behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
The TPB could represent a good framework to explain the role of Italian women in prevention behaviors related to the prostatic screening domain. Consistent with literature findings in social and nursing sciences, the intention to promote prostate cancer screening was a powerful "predictor" of the behavior itself.
Luca
L
Di Sarra
Valerio
V
Ghezzi
Taryn Yolanda
TY
Eastland
Francesca
F
Antonini
Gennaro
G
Scialó
Maurizio
M
Zega
Rosaria
R
Alvaro
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015399:Nursing Research; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires