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Mammography usage and the health belief model
J A Stein1, S A Fox, P J Murata
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1563.
Health Education Quarterly
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Physician influence (Cues to Action) strongly impacts prior mammography use, while perceived personal risk (Perceived Susceptibility) drives future screening intentions in women over 35.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior Research
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Early breast cancer detection significantly improves patient outcomes.
- Regular screening mammography is crucial for asymptomatic women.
- Understanding factors influencing mammography uptake is vital for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs' influence on mammography usage and future screening intentions.
- To identify key predictors of mammography adherence in women over 35.
- To inform targeted health education strategies for breast cancer screening.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 1,057 women aged 35+ from an urban US community participated.
- Covariance structure analysis and latent variable modeling were employed.
- Confirmatory and predictive path models assessed HBM constructs, socioeconomic status (SES), prior use, and future intentions.
Main Results:
- Physician influence (Cues to Action) significantly predicted prior mammography use.
- Perceived Susceptibility was the strongest predictor of future mammography intentions.
- Socioeconomic Status (SES) indirectly influenced mammography behavior via perceived barriers and cues to action.
Conclusions:
- Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs effectively explain mammography screening behavior and intentions.
- Targeted interventions should leverage physician influence and address perceived susceptibility.
- Addressing socioeconomic barriers is essential for equitable mammography access.