Breast cancer knowledge, attitude and screening behaviors among hispanics in South Texas Colonias

T. S. Sunil, Thelma Hurd, Carma Deem, Lucinda Nevarez, Jeffrey Guidry, Rebecca Rios, Hector Guerra, Juanita Ortiz, Lovell Jones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examines breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and screening behaviors of Hispanic women living in the South Texas colonias of Maverick and Val Verde Counties. We used the Health Belief Model to analyze the effects of HBM constructs on clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram screening. Using a multistage systematic sampling approach we interviewed women living within these colonias. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict CBE and mammography screening behaviors. The results indicate that knowledge, susceptibility, barriers and source of health information were statistically significant in predicting CBE among these women. In addition, background variables such as marital status and health insurance were also significant in predicting CBE. Findings further indicate that source of health information, barriers, and health insurance significantly predicts mammography screening behaviors. Results suggest that for women living in colonias along the South Texas Border socio-demographic variables play a significant role in CBE and mammography utilization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)60-71
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Community Health
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Clinical breast exam
  • Colonias
  • Health belief model
  • Hispanics
  • Mammography
  • Prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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