No abstract

Despite its efficacy, screening mammography is not widely utilized due to various factors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) has previously been used as one conceptualization of relevant patient attitudes. No psychometrically validated measure of these variables has previously been utilized, however, nor have prospective studies of women all of whom have been referred by their physicians for mammography been reported. The research reported here addressed both of those issues. A psychometrically validated measure of the HBM variables, perceived susceptibility, barriers, and benefits, was used, along with age, education, ethnicity, and family breast cancer history to predict mammography utilization in a prospective study of hospital employees. Being white, perceiving fewer benefits of and barriers to mammography, and having a family history of breast cancer were predictive of noncompliance. The avoidant behavior of employees with a family history of breast cancer must be addressed in attempts to increase mammography utilization. In addition, results of the study imply the need for full discussion with women referred for mammography of all issues related to its use, both its benefits and possible barriers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two different relaxation techniques in the management of postoperative pain. The sample consisted of 40 women between the ages of 21 and 65 years who were undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Using an experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to four groups: an experimental group who received a taped recording of a rhythmic breathing exercise (RB); an experimental group who received a taped recording of Benson's Relaxation Technique (BRT); an attention-distraction control group (CA) who received a taped recording of a history of the hospital; and a standard control (CB) group who had only the routine perioperative care which all groups received. Data were collected on postoperative sensation and distress at five time points during the first 72 postoperative hours, number of doses of analgesic medication during the same time period, and number of postoperative hospital days. Data were analysed using multivariate and univariate analyses of variance. The BRT group was significantly different from the CA group on a combined sensation and distress factor (P = 0.011). No significant differences were found among groups for doses of analgesics (P = 0.068) or postoperative hospital days (P = 0.56).