Increasing mammography screening among low-income African American women with limited access to health information.
BACKGROUND
Previous research showed low-income African American women with limited access to breast screening information through mass media to have a low likelihood of obtaining screening. This report describes a controlled evaluation of a component of a community-based breast screening promotion program focused on increasing screening among low-income African American women.


METHODS
A direct-contact screening promotion component tailored to the needs of low-income African American women was conducted between 1990 and 1997 in one of two matched Florida study areas. Before and after assessments of breast screening, behavior and psychosocial mediators of screening were examined using logistic regression analyses for 1201 women with differing levels of exposure to media information about breast screening.


RESULTS
Recent/repeat mammography use increased significantly in the program area for women with limited access to media information, although there was no significant program impact on hypothesized psychosocial mediators of screening.


CONCLUSIONS
The program led to increased mammography use among low-income African Americans having limited access to screening information through the media. For these women, using direct contact to deliver educational messages and facilitation of access to services may be the best method available to promote regular mammography.
Danigelis
Nicholas L
NL
Department of Sociology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 50401, USA.
Worden
John K
JK
Flynn
Brian S
BS
Skelly
Joan M
JM
Vacek
Pamela M
PM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014707:Vermont