Breast cancer knowledge and attitudes toward mammography as predictors of breast cancer preventive behavior in Kazakh, Korean, and Russian women in Kazakhstan

Summary

Objectives:

To explore differences in breast cancer knowledge and attitudes toward mammography for women representing three ethnic groups (Kazakh, Korean, and Russian) and to determine how these factors affect breast cancer preventive practices in Almaty City, Kazakhstan.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was utilized. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 500 women in Almaty City. A combination of descriptive (ANOVA) and multivariate analyses (structural equation modeling) was used to estimate differences in respondents’ breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP).

Results:

Findings indicate that women may be influenced by their clinicians’ advice to engage in breast cancer preventive practices. Multivariate models suggest that breast cancer knowledge and attitudes toward the effectiveness of mammography are significant determinants of breast cancer preventive practices among study participants.

Conclusions:

Clinicians should encourage women to engage in breast cancer preventive practices. Clinical and public health interventions should be aimed at both women and healthcare providers to use mammography as a tool for early detection of breast cancer in Almaty City, Kazakhstan.