The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43093

Kele Ding, PhD¹, Noy S. Kay, PhD², Mohammad Rahim Torabi, PhD, MPH³, Haydee Encarnacion, MPH, MS, CHES⁴, and xenia Fernandez, PhD⁴. (1) Health and Nutrition Sciences, Idaho State University, Reed Gym 105 Box 8109, Pocatello, ID 83201, 208-282-2645, dingkele@isu.edu, (2) Applied Health Science, Indiana University Bloomington, 1025 East 7th Street, HPER Room 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, (3) Dept. of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, (4) School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Applied Health Science Department, Indiana University, 1025 East Seventh Street, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405

Bandura's (1986) self-efficacy theory indicates that people's beliefs of their capabilities powerfully influence the ways in which they behave. This study analyzed a set of Breast Self-examination (BSE) survey data collected among college students in the United States, Purto Rico, and Costa Rico to detect the relationships between the practice of BSE and factors such as perceived capability of performing BSE, awareness of BSE, knowledge of BSE, attitude toward BSE, selected risk-taking behaviors, experience relative to BSE, perceived health status, and age. Logistic regression test was used in data analysis, which included a total of 1,130 responses, 598 from pretest and 532 from post-test. The result showed no difference in terms of the prevalence of BSE practice between pretest and post-test samples. Logistic regression tests were conducted for pretest data, post-test data and pre and post-test data combined. It was found that in all three tests, self-efficacy (combined three questions about perceived capability of performing BSE) was constantly a significant predictor of BSE behavior (p< .01). Awareness of BSE (a combination of six question items) and viewing proper BSE techniques were two significant factors that appeared in at least one of the final models. This finding partially supports Bandura's theory in that it singles out the self-efficacy among many other factors in the regression tests as a significant predictor. However, it was not an indication that the self-efficacy resulted in BSE practice due to the limitation of the original data. The implications of this study and suggestions for the future study in self-efficacy for BSE will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to

• describe the relation between self-efficacy and health-promoting practices
• address that self-efficacy could be a promoting factor in women's BSE

Keywords: Behavioral Research, Breast Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Indiana University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.