The Relationship Between Health Beliefs And The Performance Of Breast Self Examination Among African American Women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between African American women's health beliefs in regard to breast cancer and screening behaviors, knowledge and attitudes that may serve as incentives or barriers to their adherence to routine BSE practices. For the purpose of this research study, reference to African American women encompassed all women whose ancestors were brought from the continent of Africa to the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean, involuntarily. The Health Belief Model (HBM), one of the most widely recognized conceptual frameworks of health behavior, served as the theoretical framework. The Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Instrument Scale (HBMS) was the instrument used in this study. This instrument explores ethnic differences in attitudes toward health practices, health beliefs, risk estimates, and knowledge about breast cancer and breast cancer screenings.