Mammogram Use and Self-Efficacy in an Urban Minority Population

Objectives: (1) To compare a sample of low-income African American and Hispanic women in general and mammogram specific self-efficacy and other factors potentially associated with screening to identify any differences related to ethnicity and in the use of mammogram screening; and (2) to examine the association of general self-efficacy and mammography specific self-efficacy and mammogram screening in these two ethnically different groups of women. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional. A convenience sample of 139 women. Measures: General and mammogram specific self-efficacy, having ever had a mammogram, acculturation, and demographics. Results: Mammogram specific self-efficacy was significantly associated with having had a mammogram (p <.001), as was insurance status (p =.027). Using logistic regression, older women (OR: 1.3) and those with insurance (OR: 4.8) were more likely to have been screened. When mammogram specific self-efficacy was added to the model, overlap between this construct and insurance prevented insurance from reaching significance. Conclusions: An association between insurance status and mammogram specific self-efficacy was found. It is likely that mammogram specific self-efficacy will vary with mammogram adherence and insurance status, rather than predict screening. General self-efficacy, higher in screened women, may be an effective mediator through which to develop interventions to increase preventive health-seeking behaviors.