| The goal of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived barriers that impact breast screening behaviors among African American women who reside in rural communities. This qualitative phenomenological study involved nine African American women aged 30 - 65 years of age who live in rural communities and were familiar with or participated in breast cancer screening with some knowledge of breast cancer. The intent of this research explored the perception of barriers that impact breast cancer screening participation in order to improve overall healthcare outcomes and decrease morbidity and mortality, as well as to improve the method of communication amid African American women. The findings suggested by this research showed health insurance, access to healthcare, screening and prevention awareness, and poor communication were factors that contributed to the participants' barriers that impacted their breast cancer screening participation. The findings suggested that it would prove to be beneficial for healthcare administrators and healthcare providers to evaluate and improve breast cancer programs so that they are easier to obtain, therefore offering more assistance to the African American communities. Furthermore, results also suggested a need for healthcare providers to revise and form outreach programs in order to facilitate the awareness of annual mammogram screenings and monthly breast examinations to decrease mortality rates and increase early detection among African American women. The findings in this study further justified the need for healthcare administrators to recommend that healthcare providers increase their awareness of the increased incidence of breast cancer in African American women, and that information that relates to breast cancer screenings needs to be shared in a simple method using easy-to-understand vocabulary. |
