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Individual choices are affected by the perception of the
risk, disease or threat, and these opinions are formed by personal reasoning,
common sense, and social communication (Sjoberg et al., 2003; Larson et al.,
2012). Several factors can modify the individual’s perception including
physical, social factors and their perceived susceptibility and seriousness of
the threat (Sjoberg et al., 2003; Larson
et al., 2012). However the risk
perception of an individual is inherently subjective, with people having
varying risk attitudes (see Figure 1)
(Hillson & Murray-Webster, 2007, p39).
A study in which perceptions of 129 African American women were measured about breast cancer screening and their intention to be screened, revealed some psychological influences on risk perception. 41% of participants were underestimators, 23% overestimators and 37% were extreme overestimators of their personal risks for breast cancer, and this affected their need to attend breast-screening sessions (Bowen et al., 2014). Several psychological variables were seen to influence the women’s decision to undergo breast screening, such as ethnic identity, attitudes towards the physician, emotional distress and risk estimation.
Understanding the perception of stakeholders of maternal
health or any other health sector is essential to an improvement of health services and acceptability of intervention programmes.
One of the ways to address different
perspectives is via communication. Igboanugo & Martin (2011) recommended
that providing critical information to women on how to identify risk factors
during pregnancy was important. Also, health ministers in charge of maternity
service provision should be required to hear the voices of the people they
represent. Communication plays a vital role in addressing the individual/
community perception and world-views.
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