Beliefs, recommendations and intentions are important explanatory factors of mammography screening behavior among Muslim Arab women in Israel

Abstract

The rates of mammography screening by Muslim Arab women in Israel are lower compared with the general population. The current study aimed to examine factors related to screening mammography behavior among Arab women by employing components from the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action. Sociodemographic factors, knowledge, beliefs about breast cancer and mammography, self-efficacy, cues to action, norms and intention to perform mammography were examined as explanatory variables for mammography use. Face-to-face interviews with a random sample of 510 Muslim Arab women, aged 50-69 years, were conducted. The women had limited knowledge about breast cancer and mammography, and the rate of mammography screening behavior (at the recommended interval) was only 20%. The women who were significantly more likely to undergo mammography were those who received a recommendation from a health professional or from family/friends, perceived themselves as vulnerable to getting breast cancer, believed in the efficacy of the test, perceived it as not painful, were younger, were more educated and were only of borderline significance among those who expressed an intention to undergo mammography. The findings indicate that professional recommendation and beliefs sets are essential factors for developing effective mammography screening interventions in this unique population.