Abstract A32: Do theoretical mediators differentiate adherent and nonadherent American Indian mammographic screeners? Preliminary results from one tribe.

Purpose: The study purpose is to learn whether theoretical mediators (Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action, Social Norms, Social Support, Social Networks, Health Beliefs, Health Literacy) can be used to distinguished American Indian women who are adherent with Indian Health Service (IHS) mammographic screening guidelines from those who are not adherent with these guidelines. Women in the Bemidji Area of the Indian Health Service have mammographic screening rates much lower than the IHS average for all IHS areas. Bemidji Area women are diagnosed at later stage and have higher mortality than is seen in the overall IHS. Our ultimate goal is to develop interventions to increase adherence among non-adherent screeners. Experimental procedures: In phase one, we have identified 64 women for interviews. Based on women's risk factors and screening histories, women were assigned to one of four groups: high risk/adherent, low risk/adherent, high risk/non-adherent, and low risk/non-adherent. Our goal is to have 16 women in each group. Currently, we have interviewed and conducted preliminary analysis of 19 women (4 higher risk/ adherent; 7 lower risk/non-adherent, 4 higher risk, non-adherent, 4 lower risk/adherent). Interview responses have been coded for themes, then categorized and descriptively quantified. Preliminary results: Adherent and non-adherent mammographic screeners can be differentiated by: 1) Theory of Planned Behavior (personal attitudes toward screening; perceived attitudes of family/friends and tribe toward annual screening; and past screening behavior). 2) Social Norms (perceptions of general health of respondents, family/friends, and tribe; health behaviors; barriers to screening; influences on attitudes and behaviors; healthy behaviors; health values; perceptions of common cancers among tribal members and women; the mammography experience; and influential members within social networks). 3) Social Support (emotional support for worry and fear and companionship. 4) Health Beliefs (susceptibility and severity of cancer). In other regards, these mediators and Health Literacy do not distinguish between adherent and non-adherent screeners. Conclusions: Theoretical mediators may be a useful way to distinguish between adherent and non-adherent screeners and point to potential avenues to intervene in the non-adherent population of American Indian women.

Citation Format: Wesley Petersen, Ann M. Nicometo. Do theoretical mediators differentiate adherent and nonadherent American Indian mammographic screeners? Preliminary results from one tribe. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A32.