Do health beliefs predict health behaviour? An analysis of breast self-examination

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between health beliefs and health behaviour. The study we report was conducted as part of a national campaign to evaluate the benefits of breast self-examination in the early detection of breast cancer, and the purpose of our analysis was to test the Health Belief Model of Becker and his colleagues. Three groups of women were investigated-- 278 who accepted an invitation to attend self-examination classes and were taught the techniques in detail, 262 who declined the invitation and 594 controls to whom no classes were offered--and beliefs and self-reported behaviour were measured shortly before the classes took place and again a year later. The campaign, it emerged, produced marked changes in both beliefs and behaviour, but the relationships between beliefs and behaviour were much weaker than the model had led us to expect and accounted for no more than a quarter of the variance. Alternative models are considered, notably Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action, and the paper concludes with some suggestions for improving health campaigns.

Predicting reattendance in the second round of the UK National Breast Screening Programme: A prospective 3-year longitudinal analysis

In a prospective questionnaire study published in 1993, we examined the predictors of attendance for X-ray mammography in the first round of the UK National Breast Screening Programme, The present paper follows up the same women 3 years later to find out how many reattended in the second round and which of our original measures would predict reattendance. Attendance in the second round was slightly higher than in the first (82% against 79%), and 93% of first round attenders reattended. Reattendance was predicted by initial demographic characteristics, health behaviours and attitudes, but not by responses to the original screen. The main reasons for non-attendance were practical difficulties, experiences of previous screens, and misgivings about screening. We conclude that first time attendance is predicted by social and psychological characteristics - what women bring to screening - and reattendance is a matter of routine. If those who are unsure can be persuaded to attend once, they are likely to attend again

Worldwide Effects of Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Tuberculosis Services, January\u2013April 2020

Coronavirus disease has disrupted tuberculosis services globally. Data from 33 centers in 16 countries on 5 continents showed that attendance at tuberculosis centers was lower during the first 4 months of the pandemic in 2020 than for the same period in 2019. Resources are needed to ensure tuberculosis care continuity during the pandemic

FOXO transcription factors : from cell fate decisions to regulation of human female reproduction

All key reproductive events in the human ovary and uterus, including follicle activation, ovulation, implantation, decidualization, luteolysis and menstruation, are dependent upon profound tissue remodelling, characterised by cyclical waves of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, tissue breakdown and regeneration. FOXO transcription factors, an evolutionarily conserved subfamily of the forkhead transcription factors, have emerged as master regulators ofcell fate decision capable ofintegrating avariety ofstress, growth factor and cytokine signaling pathways with the transcription machinery. The ability of FOXOs to regulate seemingly opposing cellular responses, ranging from cell cycle arrest and oxidative stress responses to differentiation and apoptosis, renders these transcription factors indispensable for cyclic tissue remodelling in female reproduction. Conversely, perturbations in the expression or activity of FOXO transcription factors are increasingly linked to common reproductive disorders, such as pregnancy loss, endometriosis, endometrial cancer and primary ovarian insufficiency