Abstract / Summary
Cultural differences play significant roles in individuals’ health anxiety, health literacy levels, and breast cancer prevention behaviors. The study aimed to examine health anxiety, health literacy, and identify the factors that affect breast cancer prevention behaviors of women from different ethnic groups, and the relationships between these variables. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 403 women of different ethnic backgrounds (Kurdish, Arab, Turkish, and Assyrian) aged 20-69 years in the city of Mardin, Turkiye. An a priori power analysis was conducted to determine the number of participants. The power analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1 software, based on multiple linear regression analysis. Data were collected using the “Personal Information Form”, “Health Anxiety Scale”, “Health Literacy Scale”, and “The Scale to Determine Factors Affecting Women’s Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors (ASSISTS)”. The data were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program. Descriptive statistics, normality tests, Chi-Square, ANOVA, Post-Hoc (LSD), Pearson Correlation, and Linear Regression Analyses were used. The group that underwent clinical breast examinations most frequently was women of Assyrian origin (%64,0), while the group that underwent them least frequently was women of Kurdish origin (%22,8). Health anxiety was significantly higher in women of Assyrian and Arab origin compared to women of Turkish origin (p = 0.002). Total, interactive, and critical health literacy were significantly higher in women of Turkish origin than in women of other ethnic origins (p < 0.001). The total ASSISTS score of the women was similar (p = 0.649), but stress management was significantly higher in women of Turkish origin compared to other women (p = 0.004). Health literacy significantly predicted ASSISTS in women of Assyrian (β = 0.236, p = 0.021), Kurdish (β = 0.505, p < 0.001), and Arab (β = 0.384, p < 0.001) origin. These results imply that ethnic differences in breast cancer prevention behaviors are related not only to the level of knowledge but also to how that knowledge translates into behavior. Awareness training and behavioral models should be planned and implemented by including local opinion leaders and community representatives, taking into account ethnic and cultural characteristics. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.