title: Is Health Locus of Control a Modifying Factor in the Health Belief Model for Prediction of Breast Self-Examination?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the world. Early detection is necessary to improve outcomes and decrease related costs. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive power of health locus of control as a modifying factor in the Health Belief Model (HBM) for prediction of breast self-examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross- sectional study, 400 women selected through the convenience sampling from health centers. Data were collected using part of the Champion's HBM scale (CHBMS), the Health Locus of Control Scale and a self administered questionnaire. For data analysis by SPSS the independent T test, Chi square test, logistic and linear regression modes were appliedl.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that 10.9% of the participants reported performing BSE regularly. Health locus of control did not act as a predictor of BSE as a modifying factor. In this study, perceived self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of BSE performance (Exp (B) =1.863) with direct effect, while awareness had direct and indirect influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For increasing BSE, improvement of self-efficacy especially in young women and increasing knowledge about cancer is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and the Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran E-mail : azitanoroozi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tahmasebi
authors.forename: Azita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noroozi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult