The relationship of rural persons' multidimensional health locus of control to knowledge of cancer, cancer myths, and cancer danger signs

The purpose of the study waste determine if a relationship exists between m ultidimensional health locus of control and knowledge of breast cancer, pro state cancer, cancer myths, and danger signs. A descriptive correlational d esign was used. A convenience sample of 78 rural men and 79 rural women par ticipated in the study. Participants completed three questionnaires: (a) th e Cancer Danger Signs Questionnaire, (b) the Cancer Myths Questionnaire, (c ) the Prostate Cancer Knowledge Test (completed by the men) and the Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (completed by the women). Results indicated that an i nternal score on the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLOC) scale did not predict knowledge of breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in me n, cancer myths, or danger signs. Women who scored high on the Powerful Oth ers subscale of the MHLOC had statistically significant high scores on know ledge of breast cancer, but not on cancer myths and danger signs. The MHLOC and its subscales did not predict knowledge of prostate cancer, cancer myt hs, or cancer danger signs for the male participants. The implications of t hese results for rural nursing practice and their relationship to previous research are discussed.