Acculturation and Breast Cancer Screening among African Immigrant Women in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area

Background: Although over 1.6 million African immigrants live in the US, few studies have examined the role of acculturation in relation to their preventive health screening behavior. This study was designed to explore the relationship between acculturation and breast cancer screening and intention to screen. Methods: A cross-sectional study designed questionnaire was completed anonymously by a diverse community-based sample of 175 consented African immigrant women residing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Outcome measures were mammography screening practices and intention to screen based on recommendation guidelines. Results: Women who were more acculturated were more likely to screen and intend to screen for mammography. Some primary acculturation factors based on the bi-dimensional acculturation scale, were not associated with screening behavior. Secondary acculturation predictors (duration in U.S. and age at migration), were significantly associated with current screening practices and intention to screen. Discussion: Findings support the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions that target less acculturated African immigrant women.