RESUMO
The Arkansas Cancer Connection Program is a community-academic partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and nine community-based coalitions designed to address cancer health disparities through community-based participatory research. In 2005, a survey measuring coalition capacity was administered to 51 Cancer Council members to assess training needs and increase coalition capacity. The highest scoring components were leadership and member engagement while the lowest were development and capacity effectiveness. Effectiveness correlated with aspects of coalition capacity. The evaluation identified training needs, which were met by projects leveraging the coalition's strengths to advance community-based participatory research addressing cancer disparities.
Assuntos
Planejamento em Saúde Comunitária/organização & administração , Pesquisa Participativa Baseada na Comunidade , Relações Comunidade-Instituição , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde , Neoplasias/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Idoso , Arkansas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/etnologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is an effective tool that aggressively identifies and treats preventable colorectal disease. Yet incidence and mortality disparities still exist. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of persons at risk of CRC residing in a Midwestern metropolitan area (n = 43) reported their knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers of CRC screening. RESULTS: Minorities were significantly more likely to have inaccurate knowledge/beliefs and increased perceived internal/external barriers of CRC screening than Whites. CONCLUSIONS: Health education programs designed to increase CRC screening efficacy have to address the predisposed knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers of diverse persons at risk.