The Participation Rate and Contributing Factors of Screening Mammography Among (capitalize) Female Faculty Physicians in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Lower rate of mammography in Iranian women was reported compared to the rates reported from developed countries. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the rate of mammography in female academics of Tehran University of medical sciences (TUMS) and its influential factors according to Champion health belief model questionnaire. Methods: In this descriptive survey conducted in 2015, the standardized short version of Champion health belief model questionnaire was used to gather information from 99 female academics of TUMS. Further collected data included demographic characteristics of the subjects, past medical history, previous diseases affecting breast and personal knowledge about breast cancer screening. Results: Among the participants, who were 40 years and older, only 3.7% underwent annual mammography and only 22% of those aged over 45 underwent mammography every three years. Comparison between the two groups according to Champion health belief model revealed significant difference in the mammography benefits and barriers while the scores from susceptibility, severity, breast self-examination (BSE) Barriers, BSE Benefits and BSE Self-Efficacy did not differ significantly between the two groups. Discussion: Surprisingly, the rate of mammography among attending physicians of TUMS was found to be similar to the rest of Iranian female population and considerably lower than the figures reported in developed countries.