• Cecelia Gatson Grindel, Larry Brown, Lee Caplan, and Daniel Blumenthal.
• College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA. cgrindel@gsu.edu
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 Jul 1; 31 (4): 801-8.

Purpose/ObjectivesTo determine the effect of three types of breast cancer screening messages (positive/upbeat, neutral/cognitive, and negative/fear) on knowledge, attitudes, perceived risk for breast cancer, and mammography screening of African American women.DesignRepeated measures intervention.SettingThree rural counties in the South.Sample450 African American women aged 45-65 who had not received a mammogram in the past 12 months.MethodsFollowing completion of pretest knowledge and attitude surveys, the women participated in a 60-minute breast health intervention session that included watching one of three videos with varied affective tones (positive/upbeat, neutral/cognitive, negative/fear). Data on knowledge, attitudes, perceived risk for breast cancer, and mammography screening were collected before, after, and 12 months following the intervention.Main Research VariablesKnowledge, attitudes, perceived risk for breast cancer, and mammography screening.FindingsNo significant difference was found among video groups on mammography screening and knowledge of and attitudes about breast cancer over the three measurement periods.ConclusionsThe affective tone of the educational videos did not make a difference in mammogram screening, attitudes, and knowledge of breast cancer screening. More women received a mammogram 12 months postintervention than prior to the intervention; however, the influence of the intervention on this outcome is uncertain.Implications For NursingNurses and health communication experts should design interventions that foster positive attitudes, increase knowledge about breast cancer screening, and stimulate women to participate in breast cancer screening as outlined by the American Cancer Society. These interventions need to be done in the context of the cultural norms and the education levels of the target population.

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