title: Mammogram utilization among farm women.
abstract: Utilization of preventive health care services is lower in rural populations than in urban populations, possibly as a result of barriers to preventive health care that are characteristic of rural settings. This study was conducted to identify factors associated with mammogram utilization among farm women. Mammogram utilization among farm women from six southern Minnesota counties was examined as part of a larger community-based cancer intervention study. Farm women aged 40 and older were randomly selected from a list of farm households and interviewed by telephone to determine mammogram utilization and factors related to utilization. Of the 606 respondents, 78 percent reported ever having a mammogram and 49 percent reported a mammogram within the past year. Physician recommendation for a screening mammogram and family history of breast cancer were found to be associated with ever having a mammogram. Correct knowledge of mammogram screening guidelines was associated with a mammogram within the past 12 months. Overall, physician recommendation was the most influential determinant of utilization. As more emphasis is placed on prevention, patient education by physicians can have the greatest impact on mammogram utilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: J U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Halberg
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dowd
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mandel
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*