ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS TOWARD MAMMOGRAPHY AMONG WOMEN USING AN URBAN PUBLIC HOSPITAL

Although overall use of mammography is steadily increasing, few-income and majority women consistently have relatively lower screening rates than white, middle-class women. To assess the mammography-seeking beh avior of low-income women using an urban public hospital, this study s ought to understand why women in this population decide whether or not to obtain a screening mammogram. Two qualitative techniques, elicitat ion interviews and focus groups, were used to develop an understanding of attitudes, concerns, and barriers of this group relative to mammog raphy. Fear, embarrassment, susceptibility to breast cancer, inconveni ence, cast, concerns about efficacy of mammography, fear of acquiring cancer, and scheduling difficulties were identified as important conce rns. ''People in the news'' were the most influential social referents for mammography decision: making,followed by physicians, family membe rs, and friends; The insights gained from these women will assist in d eveloping interventions that encourage mammography-seeking behavior by few-income women.