Hala Al-Otaibi
King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Health promoting lifestyle and breast cancer screening behavior among female teachers in Saudi Arabia
Biography
Biography: Hala Al-Otaibi
Abstract
Teachers in Saudi Arabia represent one of the largest occupational groups among the employed women. According to the World Health Organization each year over 1.4 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer. In the present study we explored the relation between health promotion lifestyle and female’s cancer screening practice. A total of 374 female teachers mean aged 32.7+9.2 completed the study survey, which includes the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) scale, demographic data and breast cancer screening behavior. Only 28.6% of the teachers know how they do the breast self examination (BSE) and do it monthly, 71.4% don’t know how they do BSE. Obesity and overweight were more prevalent among teachers who do not do BSE (27.6%-36.2%: respectively) than BSE group. The mean total HPLP were statistically different between groups (P=0.041) and for HPLP subscales, health responsibility, nutrition, and stress management (p<0.05), no significant differences were observed for physical activity, spiritual growth, and interpersonal relations. A significant correlation was established between the BSE and the overall Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (r-0.16, p<.05) and the nutrition subscale (r=0.18, p<.05). This study demonstrated correlation between health promoting lifestyle and breast cancer screening behavior in occupational group, making an important contribution to understanding the factors influencing female’s health behavior.