Perceived Behavioral Control in Mammography: A Qualitative Study of Iranian Women’s Experiences

Mammography is one of the best methods to screen breast cancer. Because mammography screening is not entirely under the control of the person, the study of perceived behavioral control (PBC) is valuable in this regard. The aim of this study was to investigate PBC in mammography in women in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, Iran (550 kilometers north of Persian Gulf). In this qualitative study conducted using semi-structured and in-depth interviews, 22 women, a gynecologist, and a general surgeon were interviewed purposively. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed, using the directed qualitative content analysis. The MAXQDA10 software was used to analyze the data. Two categories, namely facilitators and barriers to mammography screening and 5 subcategories, namely individual facilitators, social facilitators, psychosocial barriers, barriers related to mammography technique, and structural barriers were drawn from the data. Individual facilitators included having faith and heart belief in God (Faith in God was a comfort for the participants and the acceptance of God’s favor), family support, and follow-up; the only social facilitator drawn was respecting the rights of the referring people; psychosocial barriers were embarrassment, fear of breast cancer diagnosis, and belief in fate; the barriers related to mammography technique were radiation and painful mammography and lack of insurance; and high costs and long wait in public mammography centers were drawn as structural barriers. The results of this study provided useful information about the experiences regarding mammography. Psychological barriers may be reduced by changing women’s knowledge and attitudes toward mammography, as well as by changing the national health system infrastructure. It is also recommended to strengthen cultural and religious beliefs along with holding training programs regarding mammography performing.