Measuring self efficacy for mammography screening in older African American women.

African American women utilize mammography services less than white women, resulting in higher mortality rates for this population. The concept of self efficacy has predicted mammography screening behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this pilot descriptive study was to measure self efficacy for mammography screening in older African American women. Results from the study illustrated that older African American women had low self efficacy with regards to mammography screening. Knowing the needs, understanding the fears, and working on solutions as it relates to self efficacy and mammography screening may increase mammography screening rates and decrease breast cancer mortality rates for this population.