Adherence to Cervical Cancer Screening in Korean American Immigrant Women: Identifying Malleable Variables for Intervention Development.

Introduction. Despite Korean American women having a high incidence rate of cervical cancer, many are unaware of the significance of Pap test. The purpose of this research was to examine the rates of Pap test receipt and factors associated with the uptake. Method. The study was guided by Andersen's Model of Health Service Use and used a cross-sectional research design. A sample of 230 women residing in metro-Atlanta, Georgia, participated in this study. Results. Slightly more than half (55.7%) had lifetime Pap tests while less than half (45.7%) had it within the last 3 years. Binary logistic regression indicated that marital status, monthly income, and annual checkups were significantly correlated with receiving Pap tests. Discussion. Special attention is needed for women who are unmarried and have low income to increase Pap test receipt. Suggested intervention programs include better communication strategies, extended Medicare coverage, and outreach programs within Korean American community.

Barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer screening among older Korean Americans: A focus group study.

A qualitative study was undertaken to explore the barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among older Korean Americans (KAs). Four focus groups with 25 male and female KA participants and one focus group comprising five KA health professionals were conducted in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Interpretive analyses of the interview data revealed barriers regarding CRC screening for KAs included a lack of CRC knowledge, embarrassment during the screening tests, CRC-related fatalism, and modesty, no perceived need for the screening, poor English proficiency, and mistrust of the American healthcare system. The results also indicated that doctors' screening recommendations and access to Korean doctors positively influence KAs' decision to participate in CRC screening. Public health social workers should consider integrating age- and gender-specific cultural contexts when developing interventions and programs for CRC screening targeted to older KAs.

Literacy of Breast Cancer and Screening Guideline in an Immigrant Group: Importance of Health Accessibility.

Little is known about predictors of breast cancer literacy among immigrant women. A cross-sectional survey investigated predisposing, enabling, and need factors of breast cancer literacy among 233 Korean American women living in a southeastern U.S. city. Breast cancer literacy was measured by questions that asked awareness of cancer screening methods and a 5-item questionnaire derived from the American Cancer Society's breast cancer screening guidelines and risk factors. Annual checkup was an enabling factor of awareness of Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) and mammogram, and also for breast cancer literacy covering the knowledge of breast cancer screening guidelines and risk factors. Health status was a need factor of CBE awareness. Marital status was a predisposing factor of mammogram awareness, and age and years of residence in the US were predisposing factors of breast cancer literacy. The findings of the study illuminate probable avenues of intervention to promote breast health knowledge for Korean American women.

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness and Literacy Among Korean-American Women.

BACKGROUND: Korean-American women experience a higher incidence of cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women as well as other Asian-American women. A prominent cause of such a disproportional health risk among Korean-American women is a lack of awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Identifying factors related to cervical cancer screening awareness and literacy is critical for increasing cervical cancer screening among this population. METHODS: Researchers surveyed 230 Korean-American women in a metro area in a Southeastern state, USA. Based on Anderson's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, predisposing, enabling, and need factors were explored to predict cervical cancer screening awareness and literacy. RESULTS: Monthly income, education, English proficiency, and annual checkups had significantly positive associations with cervical cancer screening awareness. Having an acquaintance giving support and receiving an annual checkup had significantly positive relationships with cervical cancer screening literacy. DISCUSSION: This study recommends culture specific guidelines to promote annual checkups through primary care physicians and the transfer of information about cervical cancer screening through acquaintances giving support.

Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening Among Korean American Women: Is Having an Annual Checkup Critical?

Objective: Korean American (KA) immigrant women underutilize breast cancer screening. This study examined factors predicting breast cancer screening behavior among KA women in the United States. Methods: 233 KA women aged 19 to 85 were recruited in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia. Andersen's behavioral model theoretically guided the study. Result: Of the predisposing factors, age (OR=1.043, p<.01, 95% CI [1.017, 1.069]) and marital status (OR=2.154, p<.05, 95% CI [1.022, 4.539]) were significantly associated with clinical breast exam (CBE), while income (OR=2.289, p<.05, 95% CI [1.060, 4.945]) and annual checkup (OR=2.725, p<.01, 95% CI [1.342, 5.533]) were linked to CBE as enabling factors. For the receipt of mammographic screening, annual checkup was only significantly associated among enabling factors (OR=4.509, p<.05, 95% CI [1.263, 16.102]), while family cancer history was identified as the only significant need factor (OR=.112, p<.01, 95% CI [.023, .552]). Conclusion: Differing factors explained the receipt of CBEs and mammographic use among KA women. Specifically, the findings shed light on the importance of having an annual checkup for the uptake of both CBEs and mammographic use. Intervention strategies should focus on promoting health accessibility for KA women to adhere to recommended breast cancer screening.

HPV Literacy: The Role of English Proficiency in Korean American Immigrant Women.

BACKGROUND: Although Korean American women have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among all Asian American and non-Hispanic White women, they are less likely to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine Korean American women's HPV literacy and factors related to HPV literacy to identify targeted intervention strategies. METHODS: A quota sampling strategy was used to recruit 243 Korean American women aged 19-85 years in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to examine factors associated with HPV literacy. FINDINGS: HPV literacy of Korean American immigrant women was moderate, and knowledge about HPV detection items was particularly low. Age was the only predisposing factor that had a significantly negative association with HPV literacy, whereas education level and English proficiency had a significant positive relationship with HPV literacy. Health status as a need factor was significantly positively associated with HPV literacy.