MCH Student:

Trisha Becker

Date of Defense:

September 17, 2013

Abstract:

Purpose: Neighborhood HealthSource (NHS) a gr oup of three clinic s in Minneapolis  that serve low-income uninsured and underinsured people. The purpose of our study was  to survey a mammogram-eligible sample at NH S to assess barriers and  attitudes related to  having a mammogram. The impetus for the  survey was that mammogram compliance  rates at NHS were 49% in 2009, well be low the 2010 national average of 67%.

Methods:  A 10-item telephone interview questionnaire was administered by NHS staff  to a convenience sample of 320 40-75 year-old  women. The covariates are family history  of breast cancer and how important a mammogram  is to the respondent. These covariates  were analyzed against maternal mammogram utilization, greatest concern about  mammogram, biggest reason not to have a mammogram, when the respondent would like  to know that they had breast cancer, social support of having a mammogram, and if  prevention, detection, or treatment is more important. The data  was recorded in excel and  analyzed using SAS.

Results:  22% of the participants  described themselves as  having a family history of  breast cancer and 89% reported that mammogram s were very important or important to  their health. Women with a family history of  breast cancer were mo re likely to identify  family as having been a primary support in  encouraging receipt of  a mammogram. Those  who perceived that mammograms as important , compared to those who did not, were  more likely to report that their mother  had ever received a  mammogram. Women who  perceived mammograms as important also varied significantly in concerns about having a  mammogram, reasons why they would not  obtain a mammogram, reported that they  would prefer to know early the progression of breast cancer, and reported their primary  source of encouragement for mammogram  receipt was medical people at NHS.

Conclusions: At least a third of the NHS respondent s reported pain as  the largest barrier  that they encounter in having a mammogram.  Pain management needs to be approached  more seriously and strides need to be made in keeping women comfortable in this  lifesaving procedure. A quarter of the NHS respondents reported that cost was the largest  barrier for mammogram compliance. The Afford able Care Act will change the landscape  of women’s health and mammography because  women will no longer be responsible for  a co-pay if they are insured thereby reducing the cost barrier.