An Investigation of Factors Influencing Chinese Young Women’s Intention for Mammography Screening

Li Li,Jinhui Li

doi:10.1177/21582440211032164

Abstract

China has witnessed a dramatic increase in breast cancer incidence over the past few decades. Clear evidence has proven the effectiveness of mammography screening in reducing the number of breast cancer–related deaths. The study aims to extend the theory of planned behavior (TPB) with two additional components, personality traits and attention to media, to investigate the factors related to young Chinese women’s intention for mammography screening. A cross-sectional web survey was conducted among female students ( n = 1,002) in a large public university in southwest China. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the three original TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) have the strongest relationship with women’s intention to engage in mammography screening. Moreover, extraversion and attention to new media are positively associated with intention for mammography screening. The study contributes to existing health communication literature by showing how the original TPB model cooperated with psychological and communication factors that are related to women’s intention for mammography screening. The findings can be used to assist government and health professionals in developing a more effective strategies to promote mammography screening in the context of China.

Highlights

Breast cancer has become the most prevalent cancer among women and poses a significant health threat worldwide (World Health Organization, 2019)
This study examined the role of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables, personality traits, as well as attention to traditional media and new media in affecting young Chinese women’s intention for mammography screening
Consistent with prior research where TPB was used to understand the engagement of mammography screening among diverse groups (Drossaert et al, 2003; Rutter, 2000; Taymoori et al, 2015), the results showed that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control are positively associated with young Chinese women’s intention for mammography screening

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer has become the most prevalent cancer among women and poses a significant health threat worldwide (World Health Organization, 2019). High incidence rates are often reported among women in Western countries, whereas women in Asian countries have lower prevalent rates of breast cancer. As the largest developing country, China has witnessed a dramatic increase in breast cancer incidence over the past few decades (Huang et al, 2001). An estimate of 268,600 Chinese women were diagnosed of breast cancer and 69,500 died in 2015, accounting for 15.1% of new cancer cases and 6.9% of cancer deaths in women Chen et al, 2016). Breast cancer has become the most common cause of cancer mortality among Chinese women since 2003 (Zhao et al, 2011)

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Conclusion