Breast Self-examination and Health Beliefs in Grenadian Women.

Abstract

Breast cancer incidence and mortality are rising in Grenada, and there is a lack of knowledge about women's beliefs about breast self-examination (BSE). The objective of this study was to quantify and identify patterns of beliefs about health and BSE in Grenadian women to help plan targeted community interventions. In this descriptive cross-sectional study of 110 women in a community parish in Grenada, sociodemographic data and health beliefs were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The Champion revised Health Belief Model Scale was used to measure general health motivation (5 items), perceived susceptibility to breast cancer (4 items), seriousness of breast cancer (7 items), confidence in performing BSE (7 items), benefits of BSE (2 items), and barriers to BSE (6 items). Younger women were motivated to perform BSE (P = .018), and divorced/separated/widowed women felt more susceptible to breast cancer (P = .014) but perceived fewer benefits in performing BSE (P = .032). Women who did not attend church were more motivated (P = .015) and saw greater benefit (P = .033) in BSE. Frequent church attendees perceived that they were more susceptible (P = .01), were less confident (P < .001), and saw less benefit in BSE (P = .024). There are groups of women in Grenada with belief patterns and sociodemographic characteristics that may benefit from targeted community intervention, perhaps in partnership with other stakeholders such as the church. Beliefs about health and BSE affect BSE uptake and are culture dependent. These data help identify the at-risk population to guide the development of targeted community-based and culturally appropriate breast screening programs.