HEALTH BELIEF MODEL VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY UTILIZATION

Despite its efficacy, screening mammography is not widely utilized due to various factors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) has previously been used as one conceptualization of relevant patient attitudes. No psych ometrically validated measure of these variables has previously been u tilized, however, nor have prospective studies of women all of whom ha ve been referred by their physicians for mammography been reported The research reported here addressed both of those issues. A psychometric ally validated measure of the HBM variables, perceived susceptibility, barriers, and benefits, was used, along with age, education, ethnicit y, and family breast cancer history to predict mammography utilization in a prospective study of hospital employees. Being white, perceiving fewer benefits of and barriers to mammography, and having a family hi story of breast cancer were predictive of noncompliance. The avoidant behavior of employees with a family history of breast cancer must be a ddressed in attempts to increase mammography utilization. In addition, results of the study imply the need for full discussion with women re ferred for mammography of all issues related to its use, both its bene fits and possible barriers.