Screening behaviors among African American women at high risk for breast cancer: do beliefs about god matter?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between beliefs about God as a controlling force in health and adherence to breast cancer screening among high-risk African American women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort.


METHODS
In-person interviews in rural, southeastern Louisiana and telephone interviews conducted at the University of Utah.


METHODS
52 females who were members of a large kindred with a BRCA1 mutation; no subjects had breast cancer.


METHODS
Survey through in-person or telephone interviews.


METHODS
Belief in God as a controlling agent over health measured by the God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) scale; screening behaviors measured by self-report. Adherence was based on consensus-approved recommendations for BRCA1 carriers or women at risk of being carriers.


RESULTS
Bivariate analysis indicated that presence of a primary care provider and low GLHC scores were associated with seeking clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. With the variable "presence of a primary care provider" excluded, GLHC scores were inversely associated with seeking CBE and mammography.


CONCLUSIONS
African American women at increased risk for breast cancer and with high GLHC scores may have a decreased inclination to adhere to CBE and mammography recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessing religious and spiritual beliefs and incorporating belief systems into education and counseling sessions may improve understanding and acceptance of presented material.
Kinney
Anita Yeomans
AY
College of Nursing, The Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. anita.kinney@nurs.utah.edu
Emery
Gwyn
G
Dudley
William N
WN
Croyle
Robert T
RT
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018570:Risk Assessment