Factors Affecting Mammography Behavior and Intention Among Korean Women

Purpose/Objectives: To understand factors that influence the mammography experience and intention to receive mammography among Korean women using the Health Belief Model and subjective norm of the Theory of Reasoned Action.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Two university hospitals and one general hospital in Korea.

Sample: A convenience sample of 310 women aged 30 years and older who visited participating hospitals during the data collection period.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaire.

Main Research Variables: Perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, normative beliefs, and motivation to comply.

Findings: Age, self-efficacy, and perceived susceptibility were significantly associated with participants' mammography experience, whereas knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, subjective norm, and income were significant in predicting women's intention to receive mammography.

Conclusions: The combined model synthesizing the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action was more effective in predicting mammography intention than in explaining mammography experience.

Implications for Nursing: Tailored health education and health promotion programs to promote mammography screening among Korean women should be developed based on women's perceptions and norms.