Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitude and Screening Behaviors Among Hispanics in South Texas Colonias

Abstract

This study examines breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and screening behaviors of Hispanic women living in the South Texas colonias of Maverick and Val Verde Counties. We used the Health Belief Model to analyze the effects of HBM constructs on clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram screening. Using a multistage systematic sampling approach we interviewed women living within these colonias. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict CBE and mammography screening behaviors. The results indicate that knowledge, susceptibility, barriers and source of health information were statistically significant in predicting CBE among these women. In addition, background variables such as marital status and health insurance were also significant in predicting CBE. Findings further indicate that source of health information, barriers, and health insurance significantly predicts mammography screening behaviors. Results suggest that for women living in colonias along the South Texas Border socio-demographic variables play a significant role in CBE and mammography utilization.

A survey of overall life satisfaction and its association with breast diseases in Chinese women

“…In addition, the theory of Health Belief Model (HBM) maintained that knowledge of disease had impacts on individual's health behaviors, such as compliance to preventative services and health care suggestions. Studies performing clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammogram screening showed that the more knowledge of breast cancer and more sources of health information women had, the more likely they would participate in screening .…”

Physician and Family Recommendations to Obtain a Mammogram and Mammography Intentions: The Moderating Effects of Perceived Seriousness and Risk of Breast Cancer

“…Previous models have suggested a complex interplay of perceptions and social factors for health behaviors [9,37,38]. Nonetheless the majority of work has been limited to examination of independent effects [10,45-47]. This study hypothesized and found evidence to suggest women's perceptions about breast cancer moderate the association of social interactions.…”

“…First, the differential and cumulative effects of recommendations on mammography intentions among a sample of Latinas were examined. Such assessment is warranted, given the increasing evidence that recommendations are important enabling factors but are generally examined independently [10,16-19,21,28-30]. This work illuminates how providers might be particularly effective in promoting mammography use among Latinas.…”

“…Social interactions appear to be powerful factors for enabling mammography intentions and use [9,10,20-28]. Notably, many studies have not compared the relative versus cumulative effects of recommendations to obtain mammography by different members within the social network.…”

“…Physician recommendations are a major predictor of mammography use among Latinas and other populations [9,10,16-26]. The literature has further demonstrated family and friend recommendations are associated with greater mammography intentions and practices in this population [20,27-30].…”