Mammogram Compliance Among Low-Income Middle-Aged Women in Puerto Rico
Abstract
Mammography for low-income and minority women is an important intervention issue as it is still under utilized in these sectors. This three-year project focused on low-income middle-aged women's compliance with 1997 NIH screening mammogram guidelines and physician's observance of the guidelines in Puerto Rico. Forty eight clinicians were interviewed to obtain screening mammogram referral patterns interviewed to obtain screening mammogram referral patterns for women 40 to 49 and 50 to 64. Less than 90% of the physicians followed the guidelines. A survey was conducted among 185 women 40 to 64 years old. The objective was to understand which variables are better predictors of screening mammogram compliance once the women receive a referral from a physician. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only age, work outside of the home, and performing breast self-exams significantly increased the probability for middle-age, low income women in Puerto Rico to comply with mammogram referrals. However, results indicate that certain factors such as breast cancer knowledge, perception of patient-physician relationship, and attitudes influence women in their self-assessment of breast cancer risks and affect the probability of mammogram compliance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA411452
Entities
People
- Melba M. Sanchez-ayendez
Organizations
- University of Puerto Rico