[A comparative study of Korean and Korean-American women in their health beliefs related to breast cancer and the performance of breast self-examination]

Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2004 Apr;34(2):307-14. doi: 10.4040/jkan.2004.34.2.307.
[Article in Korean]

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional survey was undertaken to examine the differences of BSE (breast-self examination) performance and health beliefs between Korean and Korean-American women and to identify which factors influence the BSE based on the HBM variables.

Method: The study subjects were recruited from both Korea(189 women) and Cleveland in Ohio, USA(146 women). The HBM variables were measured using a reliable and valid Health Belief Model Scale. The subjects were also asked whether or not they did a BSE in the last year.

Result: The Korean-American women who performed the BSE was statistically higher than that of Korean women. Regarding to the BSE-related health belief, the scores of benefits, confidence, and health motivation was significantly higher in Korean-American. After controlling for living places, age, education, and job, barriers and confidence variables significantly explained the BSE performance of Korean and Korean-American women.

Conclusion: There was a differences in BSE-related health belief and performance between Korean and Korean-American women. Among health belief variables, barriers and confidence were core variables predicting the BSE performance of Korean and Korean-American women together.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Self-Examination / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Korea / ethnology
  • Middle Aged