Predicting the Determinants of Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors Using Protection Motivation Theory: A Cross‐Sectional Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Participants demonstrated moderate intention (54.8 of 100) yet low screening behavior (26.1 of 100), highlighting a critical intention-behavior gap. While PMT constructs effectively predicted screening intention, their limited ability to explain behavior underscores the influence of contextual barriers beyond cognitive appraisals in this Iranian cohort. Future interventions should integrate PMT-based education targeting threat appraisal with system-level strategies (e.g., mailed test kits, navigational support) to bridge this implementation gap.