Healthcare Factors for Obtaining a Mammogram in Latinas With a Variable Mammography History

Purpose/Objectives: To understand the relationship between mammography history and current thoughts about obtaining a mammogram among Latinas and examine the mediation effects of several healthcare factors.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Federally qualified health centers (Sea Mar Community Health Centers) in western Washington.

Sample: 641 Latinas nonadherent and adherent with screening mammography.

Methods: Baseline survey data from Latinas with a mammography history of never, not recent (more than two years), or recent (less than two years) were analyzed. Preacher and Hayes methods were used to estimate the mediation effect of healthcare factors.

Main Research Variables: The survey assessed mammography history, sociodemographic and healthcare factors, and current thoughts about obtaining a mammogram.

Findings: Latinas’ thoughts about obtaining a mammogram were associated with mammography history. Having had a clinical breast examination mediated 70% of differences between Latinas with a never and recent mammography history. Receipt of a provider recommendation mediated 54% of differences between Latinas with and without a recent mammography history.

Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of the patient–provider relationship during a clinic visit and help inform how nurses may be incorporated into subsequent screening mammography interventions tailored to Latinas.

Implications for Nursing: As providers, health educators, and researchers, nurses have critical roles in encouraging adherence to screening mammography guidelines among Latinas.