Fatalism and Mammography in a Multicultural Population

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Sociology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Fatalistic beliefs, the perception that external forces control health outcomes, may influence health behaviors.
• Mammography screening is crucial for early breast cancer detection, yet uptake varies across different demographic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between fatalistic beliefs and mammography utilization.
• To compare these associations across four distinct population groups in Israel: Arab women, Jewish women (veteran and ultraorthodox), and immigrant women.

Main Methods:

• A random telephone survey was conducted with 1,550 Arabic and Jewish women in Israel.
• Fatalistic beliefs were measured, and mammography use data were obtained from healthcare records.

Main Results:

• Higher education correlated with lower levels of fatalism.
• Arab women reported higher fatalism than other groups.
• Mammography use was inversely associated with fatalism regarding cancer as externally caused, specifically among Arab and immigrant women.

Conclusions:

• High levels of fatalism, particularly concerning external causes of cancer, may deter mammography use in specific populations like Arab and immigrant women in Israel.
• Tailored interventions addressing fatalistic beliefs could enhance mammography screening compliance.