A Socioecological View Of Attitudes And Perceptions Towards Uptake Of Breast Cancer Screening In Multicultural Populations
Open Access
- Author:
- Elewonibi, Bilikisu Morenike
- Graduate Program:
- Health Policy and Administration
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- July 13, 2017
- Committee Members:
- Rhonda BeLue, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Rhonda BeLue, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Marianne Hillermeier, Committee Member
Stephen Matthews, Committee Member
Eugene Lengerich, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Breast cancer
Mammograms
Nigeria
Breast cancer screening in Appalachia
Health care system distrust
Cancer screening and chronic diseases
Distrust and cancer screening - Abstract:
- Individual attitudes and perceptions are seen as the basis for determining health screening behavior. Preventive behavior is also influenced by factors acting at the individual and community levels. Interventions are likely to be more effective when they address determinants at all levels because significant and dynamic interrelationships exist among different levels of health determinants. The following papers identify structural, organizational, and sociocultural influences that may preclude women from using preventive health care, specifically breast-screening services, and affect individual attitudes toward breast cancer screening. The Evaluation of a Breast Cancer Screening Program in Nigeria examines the objectives and resources of a nonprofits breast cancer screening program to determine if its expectations are realistic and achievable within its current in the context. The Association of Chronic Diseases and Mammography among Medicare Beneficiaries Living in Appalachia examines the associations between the number and prevalence of chronic health conditions and adherence to breast screening guidelines among Medicare beneficiaries in four Appalachian states. Breast Cancer Screening and Health Care System Distrust by Race and Nativity in Philadelphia examines the influence of health care system distrust on breast cancer screening utilization among residents of southeast Pennsylvania by race and nativity. These studies offer a socioecological view of attitudes and perceptions toward uptake of mammograms in three different populations. These attitudes, whether perceived or actual, act as barriers that prevent vulnerable women in multicultural societies from using breast cancer screening services. A better understanding of these women’s perceptions and beliefs allows for sustainable macro and micro level approaches to lowering barriers and achieving greater participation of women from minority or other disadvantaged social groups in breast cancer programs.