Transforming Screening Uptake in Low-resource and Underinformed Populations: A Preliminary Study of Factors Influencing Women's Decisions to Uptake Screening

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing women's decision to uptake screening mammography in an underinformed population. Study DesignThe study is a cross-sectional survey of factors influencing screening uptake. MethodsA modified breast cancer awareness measure was used to assess women's knowledge of breast cancer, mammography, and factors that influence screening uptake. A second questionnaire investigated health professionals' (HPs') attitude to screening and the criteria for screening recommendation. Descriptive statistics were used to assess women's breast cancer awareness, factors that influence screening uptake, and HPs' attitude to breast cancer education and mammography recommendation. We ranked HPs' responses pertaining to criteria for screening recommendation using a Kendall's W test. ResultsSixty-nine percent (n = 180) of women were aware of breast cancer, and half of them had performed breast self-examination (n = 131). About 53% (n = 138) of women were not aware of mammography, and only 15.4% (n = 40) of them have had a screening mammogram. Women's awareness of breast cancer risk factors and symptoms was poor. Many women would consider having a screening mammogram if instructed to do so by their husbands (87.7%; n = 228), HPs (96.2%; n = 250), and if government-funded screening programmes are available (90%; n = 234). Less than 40% (n = 21) of HPs had referred at least one woman for screening mammography within the last 6 months. Family history, age, and reproductive factors ranked as the highest criteria for screening recommendation. ConclusionsSpouses and HPs may be crucial to changing the current status quo around screening utilisation and government-funded screening programmes may increase screening uptake.