Health protective behavior and the elderly: Hemoccult testing for early colorectal cancer detection
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of internal cancer death. Individuals over 65 years of age are most at risk yet least likely to engage in screening for colorectal cancer. The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study using a modified Pender Health Promotion Model was to identify motivations of elderly individuals to engage in health protective behavior. A convenience sample of 90 subjects answered a four-part motivations questionnaire in which three subscales--early detection, powerful others, and chance--met reliability standards (alpha >.70). Chance was significantly related to compliance (r = -.28; p =.003); Hemoccult compliers believed less in chance and powerful others than did non-compliers (p =.005;.002). The 88 percent who performed a Hemoccult stool test as a screening method for early detection of colorectal cancer demonstrated that these elders willingly engaged in health protective behavior and supported the nurses' role in promoting primary prevention in elderly clients.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeNursing