Health Belief Model-Based Interventions to Improve Participation of Poor Individuals in Colorectal Cancer Screenings: A Review of Literature for Nurses

Colorectal Cancers is the third type of cancer in the world among men, second among women and third among both sexes. Despite Colorectal Cancer early diagnosis practices, which are met free of charge by national cancer screening programs, the participation rates of individuals in screening programs are insufficient; these rates are even lower in poor individuals. Various models have been developed by behavioral scientists to identify and evaluate the factors that affect individuals' participation in cancer screenings. Health Belief Model is one of the most effective models in explaining behaviors towards cancer screening. In the literature, there are studies that try to define the factors that lead individuals to perform colorectal cancer screening on the basis of Health Belief Model. The aim of this review is to show the various applications used on the basis of Health Belief Model to increase the participation of low socioeconomic level individuals in colorectal cancer screening. Nurses should also play a more active role in model-based interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in poor individuals.