Stages of Mammography Adoption based on Stages of Change Model and its Relationship with Perceived Threat and Fatalism Beliefs: a study on Turkmen Women

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Abstract

Background: Mammography is one of the best methods for early detection and appropriate treatment of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate stages of mammography adoption and its relationship to perceived threat and fatalism beliefs among Turkmen women. Methods: In this descriptive study, 558 Turkmen women over 40 years old living in Gonbade-Qabous and Turkmen districts were selected through systematic clustered sampling. Data were gathered using perceived threat section of Champion Health Belief Scale, Rakowski mammography stage adoption questionnaire and fatalism beliefs questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whithney, Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests, throgh SPSS 15 software. Results: From all studied samples, 479 women (85.5%) were in pre-contemplation stage, 65 ones (11.6%) were in contemplation stage, 12 ones (2.2%) were in action stage and 2 women (0.4%) were in maintenance stage. None of them were in relapse stage. Mammography adoption stage showed significant relationship with job, city of residence, educational level and history of breast cancer in first degree relatives. Mean score of perceived susceptibility increased along transition stages, but not significantly. Meanwhile, fatalism score decreased along transition stages but this decrease was not significant. Conclusion: The majority of Turkmen women had inappropriate practice in regard to  mammography. Also, their perceived susceptibility toward breast cancer was low, while their fatalism beliefs were high.

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