Health Beliefs and Locus of Control as Predictors of Cancer Screening Behaviour among Women in Obafemi Awolowo University Community

Abstract

Among Nigerian women breast and cervical cancers are leading causes of death. Screening programmes that are being introduced are recording slow uptake. The study examined the role of the Health Belief Model and Health Locus of Control in predicting cancer screening behaviour. Using a cross-sectional design, 460 women were recruited by means of convenient sampling between ages 18-60 years in the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife community. The adapted versions of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Health Behaviour Scale and Cancer Health Belief Scale were administered. Multivariate analysis revealed that none of the health belief factors were significant predictors of breast cancer screening behaviour. However, occupation (OR = 298.26, p < 0.05), perceived
benefits of screening (OR= 0.35, p < 0.05), internal locus of control (OR = 1.43, p < 0.05) and health risks behaviour (OR= 0.42, p < 0.05) all significantly predicted cervical cancer screening behaviour of women.

Keywords: Health beliefs, Health locus of control, cancer screening, Breast and cervical cancer