Intentions to maintain adherence to mammography.
OBJECTIVE
Recent attention has focused on moving women from having initial mammograms to maintaining adherence to regular mammography schedules. We examined behavioral intentions to maintain mammography adherence, which include the likelihood of performing a behavior, and implementation intentions, specific action plans to obtain mammograms. Potential predictors were Theory of Planned Behavior constructs, previous barriers, previous mammography maintenance, and age.


METHODS
Respondents were 2062 currently adherent women due for their next mammograms in 3-4 months according to American Cancer Society recommendations for annual screening. Statistical models were used to examine predictors of behavioral and two implementation intentions, including having thought about where women would get their next mammograms and having thought about making appointments.


RESULTS
With the exception of pros, cons, and subjective norms, all variables predicted behavioral intentions (p <or= 0.05). Stronger perceived control, previous mammography maintenance, and one barrier (vs. none) predicted being more likely to have thought about where to get their next mammograms. Previous maintenance and no barriers (vs. two) predicted being more likely to have thought about making appointments.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that among women currently adherent to mammography, volitional factors, such as barriers, may be better predictors of implementation intentions than motivational factors, such as attitudes. Implementation variables may be useful in understanding how women move from intentions to action. Future research should examine how such factors relate to mammography maintenance behaviors and can be integrated into behavior change interventions.
O'Neill
Suzanne C
SC
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. sco4@georgetown.edu
Bowling
J Michael
JM
Brewer
Noel T
NT
Lipkus
Isaac M
IM
Skinner
Celette Sugg
CS
Strigo
Tara S
TS
Rimer
Barbara K
BK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009657:North Carolina; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D013221:State Health Plans; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health