The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39642

Kathleen M Russell, DNS, RN, School of Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107, 317-274-4079, katrusse@iupui.edu, Victoria L. Champion, DNS, RN, FAAN, Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 340E, Indianapolis, IN 46202, and Celette Sugg Skinner, PhD, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Trent Drive, Hanes House, Room 177, Box 2949, Durham, NC 27710.

African American women suffer from the unequal burden of breast cancer despite improvements in mammography screening rates. However, more recent studies show that screening use among African American women is inconsistent and does not follow the American Cancer Society's guidelines of regular annual screenings at the onset of age 40. To improve our understanding of factors related to interval mammography screening in African American women, this study investigated demographic characteristics and health beliefs associated with mammography screening use in women who had previous mammograms. The study participants were 606 African American women, ages 50 years and older, and clients of a large midwestern managed-care primary practice and a hospital outpatient clinic. This study was part of a larger randomized control trial of tailored mammography screening interventions that included a total of 1285 women. Baseline data were analyzed on all African American women who reported receiving at least one screening mammogram within the last five years. Regression analysis showed that women with 3-5 mammograms were more educated, perceived more benefits and fewer barriers to screening, and held less fatalistic views of cancer than women with 1-2 mammograms. Study findings provide initial direction in practice for tailoring health messages that may add to our efforts in eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. However, further research is needed to explore additional socio-ecologic factors that may impact interval mammography screening use with this vulnerable population.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify characteristics of African American women who are regular and irregular users of mammography screening.
• State health beliefs to include in targeted group interventions with African American women.
• Identify additional factors that may add to the prediction of regular mammography screening in African American women.

Keywords: Mammography Screening, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.