Women's Health Beliefs Research Articles

Factors associated with breast self-examination among Malaysian women teachers

The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to breast self-examination (BSE) among teachers in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 female teachers in 20 randomly selected secondary schools. A self-administered questionnaire based on the health belief model was randomly selected secondary schools. A self-administered questionnaire based on the health belief model was used, including sociodemographic background and knowledge, beliefs and practices about breast cancer and BSE. Only 19% of the women performed BSE on a regular basis. Higher knowledge about breast cancer, greater confidence in performing BSE and regular visits to a physician were significant predictors for practising BSE. To promote BSE practice among Malaysian women, tailored health education and health promotion programmes should be developed based on a specific understanding of women's health beliefs.

Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test: psychometric testing

This study is a report of the development and psychometric testing of the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test. While the Champion Health Belief Model scales have been tested extensively for breast cancer and screening for this, evaluation of these scales in explaining the beliefs of women with regard to cervical cancer and the Pap Smear Test has only received limited attention. This methodological research was carried out in Turkey in 2007. The data were collected with 237 randomly selected women who met the criteria for inclusion and agreed to participate in this study. The Champion Health Belief Model scales were translated into Turkish, adapted for cervical cancer, validated by professional experts, translated back into English and pilot-tested. Factor analysis yielded five factors: Pap smear benefits and health motivation, Pap smear barriers, seriousness, susceptibility and health motivation. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the five subscales ranged from 0·62 to 0·86, and test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0·79 to 0·87 for the subscales. The Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test was found to be a valid and reliable tool in assessing the women's health beliefs. Understanding the beliefs of women in respect of cervical cancer and the Pap Smear Test will help healthcare professionals to develop more effective cervical cancer screening programmes.

Adherence to Mammography and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Women 50–80 Years of Age: The Role of Psychological Distress

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of women's attitudes and health beliefs regarding breast and colorectal cancer screening practices. Methods Nine hundred five women, 50 to 80 years of age, were recruited from 63 randomly selected physician offices within the greater Los Angeles area. The Health Belief Model was used to evaluate potential predictor variables associated with patients' breast and colorectal cancer screening practices. Results The study results revealed that mammographic screening compliance was relatively high (70%), whereas only 29% of the patients were compliant with fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening guidelines. Women were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT. Psychological distress had one of the strongest, negative associations with breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening, and was also a prevalent predictor for many of the variables examined. Conclusion Psychological distress seems to negatively impact a patient's decision to adhere to breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening recommendations, although participants were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of women's attitudes and health beliefs regarding breast and colorectal cancer screening practices. Nine hundred five women, 50 to 80 years of age, were recruited from 63 randomly selected physician offices within the greater Los Angeles area. The Health Belief Model was used to evaluate potential predictor variables associated with patients' breast and colorectal cancer screening practices. The study results revealed that mammographic screening compliance was relatively high (70%), whereas only 29% of the patients were compliant with fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening guidelines. Women were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT. Psychological distress had one of the strongest, negative associations with breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening, and was also a prevalent predictor for many of the variables examined. Psychological distress seems to negatively impact a patient's decision to adhere to breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening recommendations, although participants were far more likely to obtain regular mammography screening than an FOBT.

The Impact of Culture and Ethnicity on Women's Perceived Role in Society and Their Attendant Health Beliefs

Cultural background and ethnicity need to be at the forefront of a doctor's mind when thinking about the way women present and deal with health issues for themselves and their families. Despite the obvious fact that women make up about half the population, their health needs may be different to the expectations and processes of the model of care used by the majority of health professionals. Some of these differences are likely to be due to social structures but women's personal history and health beliefs in general will impact on their health care in ways that may lead them even further from achieving healthy outcomes. In general practices where a large proportion of the population is from different cultures, interacting with women with complex health care needs requires an awareness of the underlying beliefs of both doctor and patient. To understand a woman's health issues in her new country, the doctor must acknowledge that she may face discrimination at three levels: as a woman, as a migrant and as an ethnic minority.

Effectiveness of Peer Education for Breast Cancer Screening and Health Beliefs in Eastern Turkey

The primary site of cancer in Turkish women is breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in Turkey. The aim of the research was to educate women 40 years and older to increase their awareness on early detection and diagnosis, to facilitate the use of the early diagnosis methods, to improve the women's beliefs in relation breast cancer, and to increase the use of Cancer Early Diagnosis and Screening Centers available in the city. The target population of the research was 5000 women. Forty selected women were educated as peer educators. Twenty-five of them were selected as principal peer educator. Each peer educator was expected to educate 200 women. Peer trainers educated their peer and also arranged for the mammography appointment of the women who decided to have theirs taken. Data were obtained before and after the training by Champion's Health Belief Model Scale, questionnaire forms, and Cancer Early Diagnosis and Screening Centers data for mammography practice. Breast cancer was detected in 8 women. Statistical analyses showed positive changes in women's health beliefs and breast self-examination knowledge. There were 20.4% of women (n = 1040) who did get mammograms, and 8% (n = 8) of women were found to have cancer in all of those screened. Peer education was found to be effective for increasing the knowledge, beliefs, and practice of women related to breast cancer. Peers can reinforce learning through ongoing contact. Peer education can be used to improve early diagnosis of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness in asymptomatic women.

The relationship of calcium intake and exercise to osteoporosis health beliefs in postmenopausal women

Background Little is known about postmenopausal women's health beliefs and preventative behaviors regarding osteoporosis. Determining their beliefs and behaviors regarding osteoporosis can be helpful in developing effective interventions for osteoporosis prevention. Objectives To use the Health Belief Model to assess the associations between postmenopausal women's osteoporosis health beliefs and osteoporosis preventative behaviors. Methods Using a self-administered survey, data were obtained from a convenience sample of 187 postmenopausal (≥65 years of age) women, with no history of osteoporosis at a community pharmacy and senior nutrition sites in central Texas. The independent variables included health beliefs (susceptibility to osteoporosis, severity of osteoporosis, benefits and barriers of calcium intake, benefits and barriers of exercise, health motivation, self-efficacy of calcium intake and exercise) and modifying factors (demographics and risk factors). Calcium intake and exercise were the dependent variables. Multiple regression was used to assess the relationships between health beliefs and modifying factors with calcium intake and exercise. Results The respondents' mean age was 75.4 ± 6.5 years, and Mexican Americans comprised approximately 40% (39.6%) of the sample. Their reported calcium intake (mean ± SD) was 1604.7 ± 907 mg/d and they engaged in 5 hours ([mean ± SD]: 5.1 ± 5.3) of weight-bearing exercise per week. Self-efficacy of calcium intake and self-efficacy of exercise had significant ( P < .05) positive relationships with calcium intake behavior. In addition, self-efficacy of exercise was significantly ( P < .05) and positively related to exercise behavior. Conclusions Self-efficacy was significantly associated with postmenopausal women's performance of osteoporosis preventative behaviors. Improving postmenopausal women's confidence in engaging in appropriate calcium intake and weight-bearing exercise behaviors may be beneficial to osteoporosis prevention.

Health Beliefs of Women With and Without Breast Cancer Seeking Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment

Genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) is increasingly being incorporated into clinical care. Planning supportive nursing care for women seeking GCRA requires knowledge of their health beliefs. We described and compared the cancer risk-related beliefs of 134 women with a personal history of breast cancer (affected group) and 80 women without breast cancer who had a family history of the disease (unaffected group), prior to risk assessment, using a mailed survey. This article reports their demographics, health characteristics, family history, and beliefs about cancer risk, risk factors, and genetic testing. Most participants were in their 40s (mean age = 47.9), Caucasian (79%), married (66%), and college-educated (60%), and had children (78%). Most women (87%) had a close relative with breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer. In general, both groups greatly overestimated near-term and lifetime cancer risk. Significantly more unaffected women believed they were at higher risk for breast cancer than affected women. Both groups expressed desire for, but lacked knowledge of, genetic testing. Nurses are in a prime position to assist women seeking GCRA by providing accurate information and emotional support regarding cancer risk, risk factors, and genetic testing.

Health Beliefs of Women With and Without Breast Cancer Seeking Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment

Health Beliefs of Women With and Without Breast Cancer Seeking Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment

Marital Status and Health Beliefs: Different Relations for Men and Women

Although relations between marital status and health have been substantiated, the results of relatively few studies suggest how or why marriage is associated with health. To understand how marriage and health are associated, this study was designed to examine the role of health beliefs. Two thousand two hundred and six (2,206) adults who participated in the New Jersey Family Health Survey provided information about their marital status, proactive health beliefs, and proactive health behaviors. Results indicated that being married (vs. single) was positively associated with men's proactive health beliefs, whereas marriage did not appear to influence women's proactive health beliefs positively. Significant relations between participants' reports of proactive health beliefs and proactive health behaviors were found. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of understanding the complex nature of associations between social relationships and health.

Reliability and Validity of the Breast Cancer Screening Belief Scale Among Turkish Women

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Turkish women, and the use of breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography remains low in Turkey. Therefore, we need to identify the beliefs, influencing BSE and mammography, and a valid and reliable tool to measure constructs. The Champion's health belief model scale (CHBMS) is a valid and reliable tool to measure beliefs about breast cancer, BSE, and mammography in an English culture. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric characteristics of a Turkish version of the CHBMS related to breast cancer, BSE, and mammography. A convenience sample of 656 women was recruited from 3 health centers and 2 maternal and child health centers in Istanbul. The CHBMS was translated to Turkish, validated by professional judges, back translated, and tested. Factor analysis yielded 7 factors for BSE: confidence, seriousness, barriers-BSE, health motivation 1 and 2, susceptibility, and benefits-BSE. For mammography scale, 6 factors were identified: seriousness, benefits-mammography, barriers-mammography, health motivation 1 and 2, and susceptibility. All items on each factor were from the same construct. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients ranged from.75 to.87 for the subscales. The Turkish version of the CHBMS showed adequate reliability and validity for use in Turkish women. It could easily be used to evaluate the health beliefs about breast cancer, BSE, and mammography. Further refinement is required to study Turkish women's health beliefs and breast cancer screening behaviors in various settings.

Predictors of community women's osteoporosis prevention intention--a pilot study.

The main purpose of this pilot study was to identify the predictors of community women's osteoporosis prevention intention. The osteoporosis assessment scales were self-developed and contained 5 scales: a demographics scale, a health status scale, an osteoporosis health belief scale (OHBS), a knowledge scale, and a prevention intention scale. The content validity of the five scales ranged from.90 to 1.00. Test-retest was used to examine the reliability of the demographic characteristics scale and the health status scale, which ranged from.9 to 1.0. Meanwhile, the reliability coefficients of the OHBS comprising perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefit, and perceived barrier were .75, .90, .80, and .72. In this pilot study, the coefficient of KR-20 for osteoporosis knowledge was .88. The value of Cronbach 's Coefficient Alpha for prevention intention was .85. The results of this research were : (1) The averaged scores of the OHBS comprising perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefit, and perceived barrier were 2.8 (SD = 0.5), 2.2 (SD = 0.7), 1.9 (SD = 0.4), and 2.9 (SD = 0.7). Meanwhile, the averaged score for women's knowledge on osteoporosis was 10.0 (SD = 2.8). The averaged score for women's intentions for the prevention of osteoporosis was 2.5 (SD = 0.6). (2) There were some significant correlations between OHBS and demographics, health status, knowledge, and prevention intention. (3) Knowledge was positively correlated with perceived barriers, prevention intention, age, self-rated score for health, breast feeding time, and amount of calcium intake. (4) Prevention intention was positively correlated with knowledge, number of children, age of fracture, and hormone replacement therapy. (5) The major factors influencing intention for community women were, in order, knowledge, educational level (high school graduate), number of children (n = 2), self-rated health score, experience of bone density examination (yes), hormone replacement therapy (yes), and kyphosis (yes). These seven items accounted for 45.8% of the variation in intention. The results of this pilot study can help community health professionals evaluate, implement and improve community women's health beliefs regarding prevention of osteoporosis.

Awareness and health beliefs of women towards osteoporosis.

A population-based survey was conducted to determine the awareness, knowledge of risk factors, and attitudes toward osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly women in Singapore. Chinese women aged 45 years and above ( n=1,376) living in Teban Gardens (community on the western side of Singapore) were randomly sampled. Household interviews were conducted and questions on socioeconomic status, knowledge of osteoporosis, identification of risk factors for osteoporosis, and health beliefs were assessed. There were 946 (68.8%) women who were postmenopausal and 430 (31.2%) who were not. Fifty-eight percent of the sample had heard of osteoporosis. Women who were younger, better educated, who exercised regularly, or who were single were more likely to have heard of osteoporosis. The main sources of information about osteoporosis were the mass media and friends. The identification of risk factors ranged from fair to good: 85.7% of women identified low calcium intake, 43.7% identified lack of exercise, and 30.5% identified family history of osteoporosis as risk factors for osteoporosis. Most women (79.1%) were concerned about developing osteoporosis but only 15.2% thought that osteoporosis was more serious than cancer. Community-based health education programs on osteoporosis that target a wide audience including the less well educated, could be implemented. Increasing the awareness of osteoporosis and its risk factors may be essential in efforts to decrease the incidence of this disease.

Communicating the Occupational Self: A Qualitative Study of Oldest-Old American Women

This paper reviews continuity theory as it applies to the field of ageing and reports the findings of a qualitative study aimed at understanding the personal meanings of ageing and well-being from the perspective of oldest-old women. Transcribed ethnographic interviews of 23 Caucasian and African-American community-dwelling women over the age of 85, who live in the midwestern United States, were analysed through the combined theoretical perspective of symbolic interactionism [1] and continuity theory [2, 3]. The women's communication about ageing and well-being leads the researchers to conclude that personal competence in the "feminine sphere" is key to understanding older women's health beliefs and behaviours in late life. Findings also point to the importance of occupational competence as a predictor of well-being in late life. This study underscores the importance of public communication of self and the role of occupational therapists in facilitating alternative visions of a meaningful occupational self.

Young Jordanian Women's Health Beliefs About Mammography

This descriptive study assesses the beliefs held by a group of young Jordanian women toward mammography utilization as a screening procedure for breast cancer. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is the theoretical framework of this study. Champion's (1993) translated HBMtool was utilized as the self-administered questionnaire that was filled in by all participants in this study. The sample consisted of young (≤ 45 years) Jordanian women chosen out of convenience from among those visiting one of the largest maternal and child health centers in Amman. The overall results indicated favorable beliefs toward the use of mammography, coupled with the majority of women (76%) voicing their agreement with the overall benefits of mammography, and 24% were either not in agreement with or unsure about these benefits. Although about half of the sample (49%) perceived barriers to utilizing mammography, the vast majority (85%), reported an overall agreement with the statements of the health motivation subscale. There were no significant differences in women's beliefs as a function of their subgroups of age, education, or insurance status. Nevertheless, when compared with a group of older women who had undergone mammography, significant differences (in favor of the older group) were reported between the two samples, especially in terms of the responses given to selected preventive statements such as "wanting to discover health problems early" (t = 2.27, p = .024) and "eating a well-balanced meal" (t = 1.92, p = .05). Implications for nursing practice, such as recognizing culturally specific barriers and enhancing health education programs to trigger mammography utilization, were addressed.

Young Jordanian Women's Health Beliefs About Mammography

This descriptive study assesses the beliefs held by a group of young Jordanian women toward mammography utilization as a screening procedure for breast cancer. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is the theoretical framework of this study. Champion's (1993) translated HBMtool was utilized as the self-administered questionnaire that was filled in by all participants in this study. The sample consisted of young (≤ 45 years) Jordanian women chosen out of convenience from among those visiting one of the largest maternal and child health centers in Amman. The overall results indicated favorable beliefs toward the use of mammography, coupled with the majority of women (76%) voicing their agreement with the overall benefits of mammography, and 24% were either not in agreement with or unsure about these benefits. Although about half of the sample (49%) perceived barriers to utilizing mammography, the vast majority (85%), reported an overall agreement with the statements of the health motivation subscale. There were no significant differences in women's beliefs as a function of their subgroups of age, education, or insurance status. Nevertheless, when compared with a group of older women who had undergone mammography, significant differences (in favor of the older group) were reported between the two samples, especially in terms of the responses given to selected preventive statements such as "wanting to discover health problems early" (t = 2.27, p = .024) and "eating a well-balanced meal" (t = 1.92, p = .05). Implications for nursing practice, such as recognizing culturally specific barriers and enhancing health education programs to trigger mammography utilization, were addressed.

The Impact of Family History of Breast Cancer on Women's Health Beliefs, Salience of Breast Cancer Family History, and Degree of Involvement in Breast Cancer Issues

ABSTRACT Prior investigations have employed the Health Belief Model (HBM) to predict health care utilization and cancer screening behaviors. The HBM is expanded in the current investigation to include issue involvement with breast cancer and salience of breast cancer family history. Differences in the constructs of this expanded HBM, as they relate to mammography screening, between women with positive and negative family histories of breast cancer were assessed in 378 women. Perceived benefits and barriers were found to be similar for women with positive and negative family histories of breast cancer. However, susceptibility, cues to action, salience of family history, and issue involvement were found to be more relevant for women with a positive family history of breast cancer. These findings have implications for interventions directed at increasing compliance with recommendations for breast cancer screening.

The analysis of focus group data: A challenge to the rigour of qualitative research

Focus groups have become increasingly popular as a source of data in nursing research. Although the methodological issues involved in this method of data collection have been addressed in the literature, there has been little work on the process of data analysis. This paper reports a case study that was undertaken to examine Hong Kong Chinese women's experiences and perceptions of screening for cervical cancer and considers some of the issues involved in the analysis of data from focus group interviews. In the first stage of the study, 100 women were given structured interviews. Subsequently, 52 of the women were recruited, using convenience sampling, to participate in focus groups, which provided the data for the second stage of the study. The 12 focus group interviews, undertaken in Chinese, were audiotaped, transcribed and translated. The process of analysing the data was found to be time-consuming and difficult. Factors such as the unit of analysis, dynamics within the groups, between-group variations, consistency of the data, and the translation, all contributed to the complexity of data analysis. During the focus group interviews, many topics were discussed which, although not directly related to the research question, were of interest to the researchers. Women's health beliefs and attitudes to sexuality are two examples. The challenges to the rigour of the research findings created by these methodological issues are considered.

Student nurses' breast self-examination health beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and performance during the first year of a preregistration degree program.

Very little information is available about young women's breast self-examination (BSE) health beliefs and practice. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to determine if changes occurred in young women's BSE health beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and performance over the first year of a registered nursing degree program. The convenience sample consisted of female students ages 40 years or younger who were surveyed at the beginning (n = 105) and end (n = 71) of the first year of the course. The Health Belief Model was used as the conceptual model in the study to measure the students' health beliefs and to calculate mean health belief scores. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results found students' BSE health belief scores to be high for perceived seriousness and benefits; moderate for susceptibility, control, and health motivation; and low for perceived barriers. These beliefs were not found significantly to predict or increase student's attitudes, knowledge, or performance of BSE, even though significant associations were identified between individual health beliefs. Students consistently reported positive attitudes toward the importance of BSE and in learning more about the procedure. Approximately one-third of students reported performing BSE monthly. No significant differences were identified in their BSE knowledge or performance over the year. Positive correlations were found between students' BSE frequency and their nursing experience as well as BSE instruction gained outside the course. In summary, no statistically significant differences were found between students' pretest and posttest BSE variables.

Women in the ‘developing world’ and their perceptions of health: an area for examination by the nurse from the ‘developed world'

The aim of this paper is to consider how nurses from the 'developed world', in this instance Great Britain, may assist women from the 'developing world', specifically from Pakistan, to meet their and others' health needs. To explore nurses' understanding of women from Pakistan and its translation into delivery of nursing care, a number of topics require exploration. These include culture, health, origins of Pakistani women who have settled in Britain, clarification of the geographical area under discussion and a brief introduction to two studies that have investigated the health beliefs of communities in Pakistan, in particular the health beliefs of women. Appreciation of studies that illustrate women's beliefs about health can provide a basis upon which further examination can take place. Ideas can then be assimilated into a framework for nursing care centred around anthropological and holistic approaches to women from Pakistan. The outcome of this should be an examination of women's beliefs within a cultural context in relation to nursing care and management.

The significance of women's pregnancy-related locus of control beliefs for adherence to recommended prenatal health regimens and pregnancy outcomes

Abstract This study examined the relationships among women's pregnancy-related health beliefs, compliance with prenatal health guidelines, and perinatal outcomes. The principal measures in this study were the Pregnancy Belief Scales which explore three factors: (1) pregnant women's degree of perceived control or internality wit h respect to their pregnancy and birth outcomes, (2) the extent to which pregnant women believe that ‘chance’ or (3) ‘powerful others’ affects their pregnancy and birth outcomes. Sixty-two (62) pregnant African-American and Caucasian lower- and middleclass women participated in this study. Measures of compliance with recommended prenatal health guidelines, and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were also obtained. Results indicated that women's perceptions of their control of their pregnancy and perinatal outcomes was related to compliance with prenatal health regimens during pregnancy, which in turn, was related to actual pregnancy and birth outcomes. The implications of these findi...