Obstacles to the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Breast Cancer in African American Women
Abstract
Study objectives are to develop a quantitative assessment tool to describe barriers to primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer, to use this tool to establish preliminary norms in an urban, southern, African American community, and to investigate individual differences in obstacles to behaviors that impede breast cancer prevention. This report describes Phase II research activities. A convenience sample of 155 African American women were used to determine the range of obstacles perceived to primary (eating a low fat diet, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables) and secondary (doing monthly breast self- examinations and getting timely mammograms) breast cancer risk prevention behavior. A coding system was used to systematically classify the reported barriers. Using the most frequently mentioned barriers for each behavior, a series of structured questionnaires were developed for administration in a community survey. These questionnaires are being validated in 100 African American women in relation to internal consistency or reliability; and validity in relation to dietary measures, preventive practices, and stage of behavior change. This psychometrically validated assessment instrument will be used in a community survey to determine the prevalence of these barriers in a black and white, low and medium income population in Nashville.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA386496
Entities
People
- Margaret K. Hargreaves
Organizations
- Meharry Medical College