Predictors of screening mammography among Asian Indian American women: a cross-sectional study in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area

Abstract

Objective: To assess adherence to screening mammography guidelines and examine predictors of having a mammogram in the past 2 years among immigrant Asian Indian women (AIW) aged > or = 40 years.

Methods: Face-to-face surveys of 418 AIW in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area were conducted. Subjects were recruited through Asian Indian (AI) religious and other community-based organizations.

Results: Of the 418 AIW surveyed, 83% had ever had a mammogram, and 70% had obtained a mammogram within the past 2 years. AIW who had lived in the United States for > 10 years had a higher rate of obtaining a mammogram (75.4%) within the past 2 years than did those who had lived in the United States for < or = 10 years (24.6%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, length of stay in the United States, marital status, knowledge of mammogram guidelines, age, having health insurance, physician recommendations, and number of relatives who had a mammogram were positively associated with having a mammogram within the past 2 years. Physician ethnicity and not having a healthcare provider were negatively associated with having a mammogram within the past 2 years.

Conclusions: This study lays a foundation for designing guidelines for interventions to improve mammography screening behaviors among AIW women. Increasing the use of mammogram to the levels recommended by guidelines will require a two-pronged approach directed at both AIW and AI physicians.