Thai American women's perceptions regarding mammography participation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the factors influencing mammography screening among Thai immigrant women in Southern California.


BACKGROUND
Asian women have lower mammography screening rates than other U.S. women (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2007), and only 53% of Thai women in Los Angeles had a mammogram in the prior 2 years (Thai Community Development Center, 2004).


METHODS
A phenomenological approach was used to elicit Thai immigrant women's perceptions of the reasons for screening participation. Phenomenology is an appropriate means of describing screening as experienced by members of a population for which there is little information. Focus groups were used to collect data to provide a group perspective.


METHODS
Thai women over 40 years of age in 2 Southern California counties were recruited at a local temple and a social services agency.


METHODS
Participants were asked about mammography participation and to describe the factors that influenced screening for themselves, family members, and friends. Thematic analysis identified major themes.


RESULTS
Factors influencing mammography screening included knowledge, encouragement, health consciousness, physical factors, fear, cultural factors, social responsibilities, and logistical barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants identified factors amenable to nursing intervention that may influence mammography screening in this population. Further study is needed to determine the prevalence of these factors.
Clark
Mary Jo
MJ
Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, San Diego, California 92110, USA. clark@sandiego.edu
Natipagon-Shah
Bulaporn
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand / Q000208:ethnology