title: Self-Care Education Programs Based on a Trans-Theoretical Model in Women Referring to Health Centers: Breast Self-Examination Behavior in Iran
abstract: Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and a major public health problem in developing
  countries. However, early detection and treatment may be achieved by breast self-examination (BSE). Despite the
  importance of BSE in reducing the incidence of breast cancer and esultant deaths, the disease continues to be the most
  common cause of cancer death among women in Iran.This study aimed to determine the effects of self-care education
  on performance of BSE among women referring to health centers in our country. Materials and Methods: This quasiexperimental
  interventional study with pretest/posttest control group design was conducted on 168 women referred
  to health centers. The data were collected using a validated researcher-made questionnaire including demographic
  variables and trans-theoretical model constructs as well as a checklist assessing BSE behavior. The instruments were
  administered to groups with and without self-care education before, a week after, and 10 weeks after the intervention.
  Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (version 19) and analyzed using independent sample
  t-tests, paired sample t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square, and Friedman tests (p<0.05). Results: The results
  showed an increase in the intervention group’s mean scores of trans-theoretical model constructs (stages of change,
  self-efficacy, decisional balance, and processes of change) and BSE behavior compared to the control group (p<0.001).
  Conclusion: The study confirmed the effectiveness of aneducational intervention based ona trans-theoretical model
  in performing BSE. Therefore, designing educational interventions based on this model is recommended to improve
  women’s health and reduce deaths due to breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of health education and promotion, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences ,Shiraz, Iran. Email: ghahramanl@sums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghahremani
authors.forename: Zakiyeh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: mousavi
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kaveh
authors.forename: Haleh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghaem
keywords: Self-care; breast self; examination; Trans; theoretical model; women