The effects of nursing interventions on colorectal cancer health belief perceptions and screening behaviours of poor individuals

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of nursing interventions on poor individuals on colorectal cancer knowledge, health belief perceptions and screening behaviors. Method: This study, which is in the quasi-experimental design with pre-intervention and post-intervention experimental and control groups, was conducted on 128 individuals, including 64 experimental and 64 control groups in the 50-70 age group, in the Karaelmas Family Health Center District of Zonguldak District. The data were collected with the Introductory Information Form, CRC Knowledge Form and the Health Belief Model Scale for Protection from CRC. In the analysis of the data; descriptive statistics, comparison analysis of means between two independent and dependent groups (independent sample t test, dependent sample t test, Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test), multiple regression analysis and Chi-Square analysis were used. The reliability of the data collection tools was evaluated by the "Cronbach Alpha" analysis. Before starting the research, written permission was obtained from Zonguldak Provincial Health Directorate, Dokuz Eylul University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee and individuals participating in the study. Results: After three months of follow-up, post-intervention CRC Information Scores were higher in the experimental group compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The Health Belief Model Scale for Colorectal Cancer Prevention severity, confidence-benefit and health motivation perception scores were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (p <0.05). There is no statistically significant difference between the sensitivity and barriers scores of the HBM Scale for Protection from CRC between the groups (p> 0.05). In the multiple linear regression analysis, 35.5% (R2) of the change occurred in the level of knowledge and 35.4% (R2) of the change in the confidence-benefit perception scores were found to be based on education. At the same time, 15.2% (R2) of the change in the health motivation perception score was found to be due to the education given and the first degree relative in the family. After three months of follow-up, it was determined that 61.5% of the individuals in the experimental group and 38.5% of the individuals in the control group had faecal occult blood tests. Conclusion: In line with the results obtained from the study, researchers are advised to identify the barriers in the participation of poor individuals in colorectal cancer screenings (FOB and colonoscopy) and to conduct studies where different interventional strategies are applied based on HBM. The results of the study will guide researchers and healthcare planners in increasing the participation of poor individuals in CRC screening. Key Words: Colorectal Cancer, Early Detection, Poverty, Nursing.