Mobile Mammography Unit Utilization: Perceptions Among African American Women
Hall, Marla B.; Guidry, Jeffrey J.; Jones, Lovell A.
Why this matters
Outreach is more effective when the intended community helps decide where and when screening is offered. Six focus groups with 61 women in Harris County, Texas favored non-traditional hours, highly accessible locations, and partnerships with grocery stores, churches, and salons.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to gain insight on perceptions of and interest in mobile mammography unit (MMU) utilization among African American (AA) women, primarily of low socioeconomic status (SES), as well as obtain strategies for effective information dissemination. Researchers partnered with local grocery stores, community centers, churches, shopping centers and hair salons to act as recruitment sites within Harris County, Texas. Participant eligibility included being female, between 35 and 65 years of age, a current resident of Harris County, self-identified as AA, and had no previous cancer history. Sixty-one AA women participated across six focus groups. The focus groups revealed that participants perceived the availability of MMUs as an effective strategy to increase guideline adherence. In addition, all participants stated MMUs would be of interest to women in their communities. Specifically, offering services during non-traditional hours and in highly accessible locations, and partnering with community venues and incorporating principles of social support were conveyed.