Sociodemographic Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs and Barriers Among Women in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the BCSBQ.

Background/Objectives: Despite the availability of free national mammography services, participation in breast cancer screening remains suboptimal in Kuwait. This study aimed to assess breast cancer screening beliefs and barriers among women in Kuwait using the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ) and to examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional dataset collected among 458 women aged ≥20 years across all six governorates of Kuwait. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including the BCSBQ, breast cancer knowledge measures, and a general help-seeking barrier scale. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and exploratory factor analysis was performed to evaluate construct validity. Group differences were examined using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance with post hoc correction, while adjusted associations were assessed using general linear models and linear regression. Results: The BCSBQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.808) and a clear three-factor structure (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = 0.790; Bartlett's test p < 0.001), explaining 50.26% of the total variance. Nearly half of participants (48.7%) reported positive attitudes toward screening, while 16.4% exhibited firmer fatalistic beliefs and 18.8% reported elevated mammography-related barriers. A substantial proportion believed that screening is only necessary when symptoms are present (57.2%). Lower education and younger age were significantly associated with higher barriers and less favorable screening beliefs (p < 0.05). In regression analysis, higher mammography-related barriers were associated with greater general help-seeking barriers, whereas more positive attitudes were associated with lower barriers, explaining 11.5% of the variance (R2 = 0.115, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Breast cancer screening beliefs among women in Kuwait are shaped by sociodemographic factors, particularly education level and age, with persistent misconceptions and perceived barriers influencing screening perceptions. Targeted, culturally appropriate interventions are needed to address these gaps and promote participation in Kuwait's free-access screening program.