AN EVALUATION OF MAMMOGRAPHY BELIEFS USING A DECISION-MODEL

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to a group of working women's decision related to mammography. The study was guided by a decision model called the Multiattribute Utility Model. Exploratory interviews were conducted among 36 women to identify positive and negative factors associated with the mammography decision. Eighteen factors emerged and were categorized into three broad areas: Knowledge and Attitudes (Confidence in Efficacy, Personal Risk Other Means of Knowing, Fear of Cancer/Treatment, Belief in Fate, Embarrassment), Issues Related to Participation.(Accessibility and Convenience, Difficulty Arranging, Time, Cost, Pain, Radiation),and Social Concerns (Role Model, Responsibility to Self, Responsibility to Others, Family/Friends' Influence, Societal Influences, Health Care Providers' Influence). This information served as the basis of a survey among 87 women to determine the importance of these factors. Seven factors emerged as significantly different between compliers and noncompliers. In order of significance, they were Difficulty Arranging, Fear of Cancer/Treatment Cost Accessibility and Convenience, Time, Other Means of Knowing, and Influence of Health Care Provider. The predictive validity of this analysis was 85%. Implications of findings are discussed.