Background: Self-examination behaviors and screening are essential to control breast cancer. Studies have demonstrated that interventions based on health education models and theories can improve self-examination and self-management behaviors patients with breast cancer. However, there is no consensus on which education theory and models could be more efficient to improve healthy behaviors for preventing breast cancer.
Objective: In this review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of health education and promotion theories and models on improving self-examination and self-management behaviors to prevent breast cancer.
Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Pro-Quest, and Science Direct) were searched using various keywords regarding health education and promotion theories and models. Researches were published in the English languages up to February 2020 were screened. Two independent reviewers examined the quality and eligibility of included study. Data were obtained directly from women.
Results: We included 14 studies the systematic review and pooled 7 in a meta-analysis. The meta-analyses and systematic review showed that interventions based on health education models or theory increase women's engagement and knowledge in self-examination skills and self-management behaviors to prevent breast cancer. Health belief Model was the most common model used for educational intervention to improve preventive health behavior in women with breast cancer.
Conclusion: Our finding highlights the beneficial impact of health education intervention models on motivating women to adopt self-examination and self-management behaviors to prevent breast cancer mortality and morbidity.