ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is a major global health issue. Receiving regular breast cancer screenings aids in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Numerous factors influence whether a Vietnamese woman receives breast cancer screening.
Purpose: The aims of this study were to understand current rates of breast cancer screening and explore the factors that influence intention to undergo breast cancer screening among Vietnamese women in transnational marriages.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study. Data were collected via snowball sampling. We enrolled 250 women aged 18 years and over from September to December 2015.
Results: The percentage of participants who had received a breast self-examination, breast palpation, or breast ultrasound within the past year were 25.6%, 9.6%, and 21.2%, respectively. Moreover, only 6.8% of participants had received a mammography within the past 2 years. Participants with strong perceptions of breast cancer being a serious illness, who had fewer barriers to obtaining a breast cancer screening, or who had been advised by healthcare personnel to undergo screenings were more likely to report an intention to receive periodic breast self-examinations during the subsequent 1-year period. Participants who had lived in Taiwan for a longer period, had higher levels of perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, had prior experience with breast diseases, or had fewer barriers to obtaining a breast cancer screening were more likely to report an intention to receive a breast ultrasound during the subsequent 1-year period. Finally, participants who were older, perceived greater benefits from receiving breast cancer screening, and had not entered menopause were more likely to report an intention to receive a mammography during the following 2 years.
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Medical care personnel should promote breast cancer screening among Vietnamese women in transnational marriages. The results may be useful in promoting greater awareness among medical care personnel of breast cancer issues and efficacy in performing breast cancer screening for Vietnamese women in transnational marriages and provide references for the establishment of breast cancer prevention and control policies.