Abstract 

Study objectives

• To examine the compliance with mammography screening among   Arab women.
• To examine the knowledge and attitudes of Arab women towards breast cancer and early detection.
• To examine factors related to the above

Study hypothesis (specific )

• Association  between compliance with mammography screening and religion (Christians> Muslims>Druze)
• Association between compliance with mammography screening and age. 
• Direct association between compliance with mammography screening and education level.
• Direct correlation between compliance with mammography screening and knowledge about breast cancer and it’s early detection.

• Inverse association between knowledge regarding breast cancer and age.
• Direct association between knowledge regarding breast cancer and education level.
• Direct association between knowledge regarding breast cancer and compliance with mammography screening.

• Direct association between level of perceived barriers of mammography screening and age.
• Inverse association between perceived barriers of mammography screening and relationship with health provider (physician).

Methods

Study population: A  sample of 502 Arab women, aged 50-74, insured by Maccabi Health Services. The sample will be randomly selected by Maccabi HMO using the zip codes  of the Arab and the mixed (Arab & Jewish) Israeli settlements. 
Instrument: A questionnaire was specifically designed to meet the study objectives. It includes demographic characteristics, questions about knowledge, attitudes and compliance with mammography screening test.
Procedures: A telephone interview will be carried out.
Importance of the study: Studies in Israel regarding compliance with mammography screening are relatively limited in number.  Most of them are national surveys or were carried out in Clalit HMO, focusing primarily on the Jewish population. Despite the importance of mammography and the fact that half of Maccabi insured population are women, Maccabi lacks studies examining compliance with mammography. Few studies were conducted on a local level (i.e Eilat and Tiv’on).  Examining the compliance with mammography screening of the Arab women  and understanding the factors  underlying the under-use of  the test, will result in a better definition of high risk sub-groups  for mammography  underutilization. It will also assist in planning of interventions aimed towards increasing compliance.

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