| Learning Objective #1: Describe the status of mammography screening in Korean women | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the factors influencing the stage of change for mammography screening in Korean women |
Design and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was implemented. A single item was used to assess their current stages of adoption for mammography. The scales of pros and cons of mammography and 4 subscales of process of change (commitment to regular screening, information sharing and communication, thinking beyond oneself, approaches/avoids the health care system) by Rakowski were used. Discriminant function analysis was used.
Results: A total of 328 women participated in the study. Average age of sample was 37.69 years (SD= 6.09), ranging 30 to 61 years. Only 33.2% had ever had a mammography. Approximately half of the sample (46.3%) was precontemplator, 18.3% contemplator, 15.9% in relapse stage, 10.4% in action stage, and 9.1% in maintenance stage. There were significant differences in decisional balance (pros and cons) and process of change across the stages of mammography. Predicting factors of the stage of adoption of mammography screening were pros, cons, and commitment to regular screening.
Conclusion: Results indicate the need for promoting mammography screening among Korean women and promotion could be achieved by emphasizing the pros and commitment to regular screening and decreasing the cons for mammography screening. In addition, culturally relevant educating programs about mammography screening should be developed.