Hung-Yi Lu1. 1. PhD, Professor, Department of Communication and Graduate Institute of Telecommunications, National Chung Cheng University.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Women in Taiwan are at increasing risk of cervical cancer. The determinants of intentions to seek information about cervical cancer among women have not been adequately addressed in previous studies. PURPOSE: This study uses the theory of planned behavior and the concept of perceived risk to explore the determinants of intentions to seek information about cervical cancer among Taiwanese women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed Taiwanese women aged 35 years and over. Systematic sampling was adopted to identify potential participants from the public telephone directory. A nationwide sample of 1,001 female adults aged 35 years and over completed the telephone-based survey questionnaire from April 13 to 27 of 2010. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that subjective norms, attitude, and perceived behavioral control positively and significantly predicted the information-seeking intentions about cervical cancer of participants. In addition, those seeking information regarding cervical cancer were more concerned about risks to themselves than about risks to others. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This investigation contributes to the literature on theory of planned behavior by documenting perceived personal risks to the patient and risks to others regarding a diagnosis of cervical cancer. It is hoped that this investigation assists scholars of health communication and information-seeking behavior to better understand and positively address the determinants of the intentions of women to seek information about cervical cancer.
BACKGROUND:Women in Taiwan are at increasing risk of cervical cancer. The determinants of intentions to seek information about cervical cancer among women have not been adequately addressed in previous studies. PURPOSE: This study uses the theory of planned behavior and the concept of perceived risk to explore the determinants of intentions to seek information about cervical cancer among Taiwanese women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed Taiwanese women aged 35 years and over. Systematic sampling was adopted to identify potential participants from the public telephone directory. A nationwide sample of 1,001 female adults aged 35 years and over completed the telephone-based survey questionnaire from April 13 to 27 of 2010. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that subjective norms, attitude, and perceived behavioral control positively and significantly predicted the information-seeking intentions about cervical cancer of participants. In addition, those seeking information regarding cervical cancer were more concerned about risks to themselves than about risks to others. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This investigation contributes to the literature on theory of planned behavior by documenting perceived personal risks to the patient and risks to others regarding a diagnosis of cervical cancer. It is hoped that this investigation assists scholars of health communication and information-seeking behavior to better understand and positively address the determinants of the intentions of women to seek information about cervical cancer.