Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

This thesis aims to understand the beliefs regarding healthcare which bring some woman not to participate to screening mammography. The topic is introduced using epidemiologic data, showing the fact that the majority of woman who do not attend screening are indeed foreign – born or coming from a different religious or cultural background. Indeed, the thesis explains the psychological aspects behind the beliefs and the cultural mindset from which the behavior originates. Furthermore, the “Breast Screening Belief Questionnaire” is mentioned in order to validate with actual data what is reported in the text. The case study argomented regards a Muslim woman who is old enough to be called for the screening process but refused to apply for the control, resulting eventually in the discovery of advanced breast cancer. Therefore, the planned nursing care, the diagnosis and related objectives and interventions that should be implemented in these situations are reported below. The thesis argues how nurses nowadays do not have solid preparation when cultural differences appear, which might lead to problems and difficulties in finding cure to the health problem. Eventually, the report explains how nurses should mix knowledge and ethic behavior in order to obtain what it is defined as “cultural competency”, introduced by famous researchers in the field, such as Madeleine Leininger. By doing so, I believe that nurses might be able to be involved more with women and help the increase in the amount of participation at screening for women coming from a different cultural or religious background.