Factors Affecting African American Women's Participation in Breast Cancer Screening Programs: A Qualitative Study of Uninsured Low Income Women
Abstract
Breast cancer screening programs offer the greatest promise for many detection but rates of participation in free screening programs have been disappointing or challenged populations. The purpose of the current study was to elaborate the beliefs and culturally embedded meanings that a population of low income, uninsured African American women held toward breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Both Phase I and 2 work and analyses have been completed. Phase I involved case intensive elicitation interviews of a population data base of over 600 women who were offered but declined participation in free screening mammogram through the Breast & Cervical Health Program (BCHP) in Washington state. Phase 2 involved focus groups of these women during which time they were asked to critique or elaborate on the results from Phase I analyses. Triangulated and integrated results across both phases of research revealed that an of the assumptions underlying the BCHP are challenged by the beliefs and attitudes of the study participants. Results also offer compelling reasons why NEW educational, outreach and training materials are needed in order to more successfully engage fiscally challenged African American women in breast cancer screening programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428540
Entities
People
- Frances M. Lewis
Organizations
- University of Washington