1. African-American caregivers' breast health behavior.
- Author
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Inoue, Megumi, Pickard, Joseph G., Welch-Saleeby, Patricia, and Johnson, Sharon
- Subjects
AFRICAN American caregivers ,BREAST cancer ,CANCER diagnosis ,MEDICAL screening ,MAMMOGRAMS ,HEALTH equity - Abstract
This study utilizes a stress and coping framework which includes cognitive appraisal, personal and environmental resources, coping and stress to examine factors related to African-American caregivers' breast cancer screenings, including mammograms, clinical examinations and self-examinations. Using data from the Black Rural and Urban Caregivers Mental Health and Functioning Study, we performed separate logistic regressions for each type of breast cancer screening. Results reveal that having a regular doctor checkup (coping), care recipients having a cancer diagnosis (cognitive appraisal, and living in urban areas (environment resources) are associated with receiving a mammogram. Having greater income, having at least a high school degree (both personal resources) and having a regular doctor checkup (coping) are associated with receiving a clinical examination. Increased caregiver strain (stress), being 40 years old or older, social support (coping) and living in rural areas are associated with performing a self-examination. Targeting African-American caregivers, particularly in rural areas, for increased education on the importance of receiving breast cancer screenings is crucial to addressing health disparities. Making resources available, encouraging caregivers to get a clinical examination and a mammogram and directing public education toward caregivers are important points of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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