Predictors of breast cancer screening in a panel study of African American women.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the predictors of breast cancer screening participation in a panel study of African American women over age 40. We examine the effect of depression, age, beliefs and concerns about breast cancer and its risk, communication with social networks regarding screening, marital status, participation in religious organizations, breast cancer family history, and participation in a breast cancer education program.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from 30 African American churches, two low-income housing projects, and from a health fair at a historically African American University (N = 364). Participants were interviewed upon recruitment, and three months later. Multinomial logistic regression models are estimated to assess the relative impact of covariates on the odds of getting a mammogram while controlling for other factors. We also assess predicted probabilities of screening at specific levels of covariates.


RESULTS
We find that age, marriage, an educational intervention, talking with friends, and believing that early detection can lead to cure had a positive impact on getting a mammogram between T1 and T2. In contrast, depression significantly reduces the odds of getting a mammogram. Family histories of breast cancer and church participation have no effect on rates of mammography net of other factors.
Husaini
B A
BA
Center for Health Research, Tennessee State University, Nashville 37209, USA.
Sherkat
D E
DE
Bragg
R
R
Levine
R
R
Emerson
J S
JS
Mentes
C M
CM
Cain
V A
VA
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States