Perceptional predictors of intention to cancer screening behaviors among occupational safety and health managers in Korea: Based on Health Belief Model (HBM)

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Korea. To prevent cancer incidence, it is essential to facilitate cancer screening behaviors for adult population. The aim of this study was to examine perceptional predictors of cancer screening behaviors based on Health Belief Model (HBM). Survey participants were 275 male managers in safety and health department of selected Korean workplace. The questionnaire included cancer screening experience, educational experiences for cancer prevention, beliefs on cancer or cancer screening (BCCS) based on HBM, and whether they intended to receive cancer screening. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with cancer screening intention. Data analyses revealed that income, type of occupation, perceived health status, and experience of cancer education were significant factors related to BCCS. Those who perceived lower health status were significantly more likely to perceive sensitivity of cancer (p<.001), less likely to perceive benefits of cancer screening (p<.05), and more likely to perceive barriers of cancer screening (p<.05). Higher income was related to higher perception of benefits of cancer screening (p<.01). Those who engaged in construction industry were significantly more likely to perceive barriers of cancer screening (p<.05). The most significant perceptional predictor of hesitation to cancer screening was perceived barriers of screening behaviors. The odds ratios of perceived barriers were greater in the hesitation group than in the no intention group. From the findings of this research, it is recommended to develop a workplace cancer prevention program that would reduce workers' perceived barriers of cancer screening.