The Mediating Role of Religious Health Fatalism and Modesty on the Association Between Religiosity and Mammography Screening Behavior Among Saudi Women.

This article investigates the influence of religiosity on mammography screening behavior (MSB) among Saudi women, focusing on the mediating roles of religious health fatalism (RHF)—the belief that health outcomes are predetermined by divine will—and modesty, a cultural-religious norm emphasizing bodily privacy. Using a cross-sectional study of 86 Saudi women aged 40 to 69, the research found that while higher religiosity directly increased the likelihood of mammography screening, RHF and modesty significantly mediated this relationship by reducing screening participation. Additionally, recommendations from primary care physicians (PCPs) emerged as the strongest predictor of screening uptake. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions that address religious fatalism and modesty concerns, alongside enhanced PCP engagement, to improve mammography rates in Saudi Arabia.