Peer reviewed
ERIC Number: EJ725657
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Aug-1
Pages: 12
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-7283
EISSN: N/A
Advancing Social Workers' Responsiveness to Health Disparities: The Case of Breast Cancer Screening
Altpeter, Mary; Mitchell, James F.; Pennell, Joan
Health & Social Work, v30 n3 p221 Aug 2005
This study provides the basis for customizing culturally responsive social work health promotion programs aimed at eliminating breast cancer screening and mortality disparities between white and African American women. Survey data collected from a random sample of 853 women in rural North Carolina were used to explore the impact of psychosocial factors, including cultural beliefs, on differences by race and age in behavioral intentions if a breast lump was found. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age and past mammography screening predicted the intention to get a mammogram, whereas physician communication about breast cancer risk, never having a mammogram, breast cancer worry, and religious beliefs about God's role in curing cancer influenced women's intentions to watch the lump for changes. Factors in both models did not account for racial differences. The findings can help social workers tailor more culturally respectful breast health interventions and have implications for the development of other efforts to eliminate health disparities.
Descriptors: Females, Social Work, Caseworkers, Cancer, Health Promotion, Screening Tests, African Americans, Whites, Racial Differences, Cultural Awareness, Rural Areas, Psychological Patterns, Social Influences, Predictor Variables
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-227-3590 (Toll Free); e-mail: press@naswdc.org; Web site: http://www.naswpress.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A