Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Department of Social Work and Sociology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, USA.
2
School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
3
School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
4
School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.
5
The Joint Master of Social Work Program, North Carolina A&T State University and University of North Carolina Greensboro Greensboro, NC, USA.
Abstract
Objective: Korean American (KA) immigrant women underutilize breast cancer screening. This study examined
factors predicting breast cancer screening behavior among KA women in the United States. Methods: 233 KA women
aged 19 to 85 were recruited in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia. Andersen’s behavioral model theoretically guided
the study. Result: Of the predisposing factors, age (OR=1.043, p<.01, 95% CI [1.017, 1.069]) and marital status
(OR=2.154, p<.05, 95% CI [1.022, 4.539]) were significantly associated with clinical breast exam (CBE), while income
(OR=2.289, p<.05, 95% CI [1.060, 4.945]) and annual checkup (OR=2.725, p<.01, 95% CI [1.342, 5.533]) were
linked to CBE as enabling factors. For the receipt of mammographic screening, annual checkup was only significantly
associated among enabling factors (OR=4.509, p<.05, 95% CI [1.263, 16.102]), while family cancer history was
identified as the only significant need factor (OR=.112, p<.01, 95% CI [.023, .552]). Conclusion: Differing factors
explained the receipt of CBEs and mammographic use among KA women. Specifically, the findings shed light on the
importance of having an annual checkup for the uptake of both CBEs and mammographic use. Intervention strategies
should focus on promoting health accessibility for KA women to adhere to recommended breast cancer screening.
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