Health Beliefs and Mammography Rates of Turkish Women Living in Rural Areas

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer among women globally as well as in Turkey and mammography is known to be an effective screening tool for this disease. This study was undertaken to characterize health beliefs and practices related to mammography of women in Turkey and also to survey mammography rates. Cross-sectional. The study was performed between September 2006 and January 2007 in Samsun, Turkey. Of 503 women, aged 35 years or older and registered at a local Health Center, 387 (76.94%) agreed to participate in this study. A self-administered descriptive questionnaire and the Champion Revised Health Belief Model Scale for breast cancer screening (CHBMS) were used as data collection instruments. Analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and independent t test. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the extent to which individual variables significantly predicted mammography use. Study participants did not undergo mammography at optimal rates (23.5%), but perceived benefits were higher than were perceived barriers to the procedure after education about mammography. Consequently women reported they were likely to adopt the practice of regular mammography in the future. Mammography rates were low in this rural area in Turkey, but may improve after education about the procedure. Mammography is an important tool in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Many women still do not understand the benefit of mammograms and further education may help increase rates of early screening.