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Efficacy of the Health Belief Model for Predicting Intention to Pursue Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer

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Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

This study examined the Health Belief Model’s efficacy to predict intention to undergo genetic testing for the Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) gene within a rural/frontier setting. Survey data were collected on 558 Southwest Montanan residents. Regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits, including affordability and satisfying curiosity, were the strongest indicators of intention to undergo genetic testing for CRC. Select consumer barriers and cues to action variables were also found to be significant predictors. Collectively the model explained approximately 36% of the variance. These preliminary findings have implications for genetic counselors, health practitioners and health care providers concerned with genetic counseling and addressing the public health issue of CRC.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part through a research development grant from the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University Bozeman.

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Correspondence to Tim Allen Dunnagan.

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Cyr, A., Dunnagan, T.A. & Haynes, G. Efficacy of the Health Belief Model for Predicting Intention to Pursue Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer. J Genet Counsel 19, 174–186 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-009-9271-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-009-9271-7

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