Ethnic differences in breast self‐examination practice and health beliefs

Abstract

Thirty-two African American nurses (AAN) and 78 Caucasian nurses (CN) were compared on breast self-examination (BSE) practice and health beliefs. Relationships between these variables were also examined. The Health Belief Model provided the framework for the study. The sample is a subset of 269 women from a larger study. AANs were recruited from a professional nurses' group. CNs were recruited from a list of female employees of a university medical centre. The results of t-tests revealed no significant group differences on BSE frequency (P = 0.06) or BSE proficiency (P = 0.10). Noted was that 42% of AANs compared to 20% of CNs examined their breasts 12 or more times during the year. AANs were more likely to consider BSE beneficial (P = 0.002) and to feel confident (P = 0.006) about doing BSE; CNs perceived more barriers (P = 0.001) to BSE. For AANs, BSE frequency and proficiency were positively related to confidence and inversely related to barriers; BSE frequency was also related to health motivation. For CNs, BSE frequency and proficiency were inversely related to seriousness. Implications include additional research to validate findings and to increase the knowledge base of all nurses regarding BSE.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour of Women Working in Government Hospitals Regarding Breast Self Examination

“…We found no difference in BSE performance rate between the health personnel and GAS workers, and it can be said that almost all of those working in the health services had a common awareness level on this topic. Different results have been reported from studies investigating BSE frequency, the factors affecting it and the technique, in the general population and health personnel worldwide (Foxall et al, 1998;Fung, 1998;Odusanya and Tayo, 2001;Chong et al, 2002;Abu Salem and Hassan, 2007;Uncu and Bilgin, 2011); in our opinion these differences can be explained by the differences in cultural, and socio-economic factors.…”

“…There was no significant difference in performing BSE according to professional groups. The BSE rates in studies performed in our country on health personnel were between 56.1-92% (Kilic et al, 2006;Aslan et al, 2007;Uncu and Bilgin, 2011); in studies abroad this rate was reported to be between 89-93% (Foxall et al, 1998;Odusanya and Tayo, 2001;Chong et al, 2002;Abu Salem and Hassan, 2007). The results from the population in general changed between 17-61.7% (Fung, 1998;Dundar et al, 2006;Secginli and Nahcivan, 2006;Sirin et al, 2006;Discigil, 2007).…”

“…One of the important diagnostic methods of breast cancer is CBE. CBE should be performed every 3 years in 20-39 year old women, and once a year in women above 40, as part of periodic health examinations (Foxall et al, 1998;Odusanya and Tayo, 2001). Aslan et al (2007) reported that 5% of nursing students had undergone a clinical breast examination at least once.…”

Breast self-examination practices among women from six ethnic groups and the influence of cancer worry

“…The frequency of BSE performance varies across ethnic and racial groups [9][10][11][12] although there are exceptions [13] and the data are complex. Several studies have shown that minority women report more frequent BSE than their majority counterparts [10,14,15].…”

“…Several studies have shown that minority women report more frequent BSE than their majority counterparts [10,14,15]. Of women who were aware of breast cancer screening practices, for example, African Americans have reported more frequent BSE than Caucasians [16].…”