Determinants of screening methods utilization among Iraq/Sulaimani women.

Purpose: This study aims to find out the participation rate of women in the utilization of screening methods to determine the relationship of sociodemographic health characteristics and breast cancer (BC) awareness with the utilization of screening methods. The authors' study aims to examine the relationship between women's belief and the utilization of screening methods.

Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three health centers from December 13, 2016 to June 12, 2017. A questionnaire was constructed for data collection about sociodemographic characteristics, screening awareness and medical and health background variables. Additionally, BC awareness measure and champion health belief model scales were used to measure women's perceptiveness about BC.

Findings: Despite the awareness among 78.9% of women regarding clinical breast examination (CBE) as a screening method, only 9.5% women utilized it for screening. Due to prescription by physicians for diagnosis of BC, 23.6% women had done mammography at least once in their life. Having jobs and a good education significantly influenced the utilization of CBE as a screening method. The logistic regression analysis found that old age, family history of BC, good knowledge about BC, perceived susceptibility, low rate of perceived barriers to mammography and CBE predicted participation in screening.

Originality/value: Enhancing knowledge about BC and screening, emphasizing the susceptibility to BC and the benefits of screening will help in better participation. Importance should be given to illiterate and unemployed women.