Health beliefs and self breast examination in black women

Abstract

The relationship between health beliefs and practice of breast self examination (BSE) in a sample of 179 black women, 20 to 49 years of age, was investigated. Health beliefs were operationalized by employing Champion's revised Health Belief Model Scale (1993) to collect data. Data analyses included multiple regression analysis to examine BSE behavior in relation to selected demographic attributes and health beliefs. Results indicated that health beliefs were much stronger in determining BSE performance for a given individual than were demographic characteristics. The frequency of BSE was related to increased perceived seriousness of breast cancer, benefits of BSE, and health motivation. Frequency of BSE was inversely related to perceived barriers.