Validity of self-reported mammography in low-income African-American women.
BACKGROUND
Mammography screening reduces mortality by 25% to 30% in women aged 50 to 69. Because mammography screening is often used less frequently than the recommended guidelines, many descriptive and intervention studies are underway to increase use of this important screening tool. Assessment of intervention effect is dependent on valid measurement of mammography use. Although several studies have shown a close correspondence between self-report and medical records, most had few minority participants.


METHODS
The purpose of this report was to compare self-reported mammography and medical records of mammography status in a low-income African-American sample. A total of 229 low-income (at 150% of poverty or below) African-American women were interviewed regarding breast cancer screening. Response categories that assessed last mammogram were "within the last 12 months," "13-24 months," and "over 24 months," as well as date and location of last mammogram. Self-reported mammography was compared with medical records at the facility named by respondents.


RESULTS
Comparison with self-report showed that only 49% to 60% of reported mammography use could be verified within categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-report alone may not provide accurate rates of mammography compliance. Further research is necessary with ethnic and low-income women.
Champion
V L
VL
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Menon
U
U
McQuillen
D H
DH
Scott
C
C
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires