Breast Health Belief Systems Study

The Morehouse School Medicine is conducting the Breast Health Belief Systems Study, a multi-institutional project. This study was designed to address the issues surrounding constructing effective health promotion messages in regard to breast cancer for African American women who live in the rural South. The hypothesis underlying this research is that a breast health promotion approach that is based in specific belief systems among three disparate African American rural populations of low socioeconomic status (SES) will motivate increased compliance to recommended breast cancer screening schedules and positive shifts in breast cancer screening schedules and positive shifts in breast cancer knowledge and attitudes. This research is proceeding in three phases: (1) qualitative analysis of intra cultural variations in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding breast disease in 25 low-SES African American women with breast cancer in three distinct areas; (2) use of these ethnographic data to develop a demonstration project for interpersonal delivery of breast health information to 600 breast disease free women; and (3) measurement of effectiveness using lay workers indigenous to the target communities. Phase I has been completed, and Phase II is well into its scope of work. Sixty-four African American women participated in the ethnographic survey which resulted in a wealth of data, and new insights into their beliefs and health practices.