| Title | Use of mammography screening among older Samoan women in Los Angeles county: A diffusion network approach |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2003 |
| Authors | Levy-Storms, L, Wallace, SP |
| Journal | Social Science & MedicineSocial Science & Medicine |
| Volume | 57 |
| Pagination | 987-1000 |
| Date Published | Sep |
| ISBN Number | 0277-9536<br/>1873-5347 |
| Accession Number | Peer Reviewed Journal: 2003-99821-001 |
| Keywords | *Human Females, *Mammography, *Pacific Islanders, *Screening, *Social Networks, Health & Mental Health Services [3370], Human Female Adulthood (18 yrs & older) Middle Age (40-64 yrs) Aged (65 yrs & older) Very Old (85 yrs & older), mammography screening, preventive health services, health communication networks, social networks, Samoan women, diffusion of innovations, Public Health Services, us |
| Abstract | Minority migrant populations, such as older Samoan women, are likely to underuse preventive health services, including mammography screening. The purpose of this paper is to explore how informal and formal health communication networks influence mammography screening use among older Samoan women. To do so, we apply diffusion of innovation theory and network analysis to understand how interpersonal networks may affect mammography use in this urban-dwelling, migrant population. The data come from a survey of 260 Samoan women, aged 50 years or older, who attended 39 randomly sampled Samoan churches in Los Angeles County between 1996 and 1997. Retrospective data, based over a 20-year period from this sample's year of first use of mammography screening, suggest that interpersonal networks may have accounted for the dramatic increase in the rate of adoption within the past 5 years of the survey. The results indicated that being well-connected within women's informal, church-based health communication networks increased the likelihood of being in the decision and implementation and confirmation stages. Formal and informal health communication networks influence recent use of mammography screening. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). |
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