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Hispanic Men and Women’s Knowledge, Beliefs, Perceived Susceptibility, and Barriers to Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography Practices in South Texas Colonias

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Abstract

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women of all ethnicities. Though the disease is not a primary concern within male populations male perceptions and beliefs of breast cancer screening may contribute to a partner’s or loved one’s decision to engage in regular mammograms or clinical breast examinations. The current study seeks to explore a comparative analysis of breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to female breast cancer and breast cancer screening among Hispanic men and women residing in the Colonias of South Texas. Using a multistage systematic sampling design, 2,812 men and women were surveyed from the two South Texas Counties; Maverick and Val Verde. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 75 (n = 2360) were included in the analysis. T-tests and linear regression models were used to examine gender differences in, knowledge, beliefs, susceptibility, and barriers to breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Significant differences were found between males and females across all measures. Regression analysis demonstrates Hispanic women hold more favorable beliefs about breast cancer and early detection, display higher perceived barriers to clinical breast examinations and mammography, and view themselves more susceptible to the development of breast cancer than their male counterparts. Results framed within a cultural context suggest outreach efforts within South Texas Colonias should consider inclusion of male family members in efforts to increase favorable views toward and engagement in regular breast cancer screening.

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Notes

  1. Colonias are defined as unincorporated, primarily Hispanic, townships located within a radius of 150 miles from the U.S Mexico border, outside of the jurisdiction of local cities (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2008). Characterized by their lack of basic infrastructure colonias often lack running water, sewage and drainage systems, electricity, and maintained roadways. In addition to insufficiencies in infrastructure, colonias also exhibit high poverty rates, language and literacy barriers, higher than average unemployment, insufficient public transportation, lack of medical providers and health benefit coverage, and unfamiliarity with available government assistance programs (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, 2007; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2008).

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI).

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI). Funding support did not have any involvement in the study design, collection, analysis interpretation of data, the writing of the report or the decision to submit the article for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Health System, 4502 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Carma Deem Bolton

  2. Department of Sociology, The University of Texas San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    T. S. Sunil

  3. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Thelma Hurd

  4. Texas Health and Human Service Commission, Office of Border Affairs, 173 Wildcat Drive, Del Rio, TX, 78840, USA

    Hector Guerra

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  1. Carma Deem Bolton
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  2. T. S. Sunil
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  4. Hector Guerra
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CB, TS, HG, and TH all contributed to the design, analysis, and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to T. S. Sunil.

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Bolton, C.D., Sunil, T.S., Hurd, T. et al. Hispanic Men and Women’s Knowledge, Beliefs, Perceived Susceptibility, and Barriers to Clinical Breast Examination and Mammography Practices in South Texas Colonias. J Community Health 44, 1069–1075 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-019-00682-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-019-00682-1

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