ABSTRACT
National colonoscopy adherence rates near 65% and New York City (NYC) colonoscopy rates approach 69%. Despite an overall increase in national colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, rates of CRC screening among Blacks and Latinos are lower than non-Latino Whites. We developed two group level, culturally targeted educational programs about CRC for Blacks and Latinos. One hour programs included education about screening, peer testimony given by a colonoscopy-adherent person, and pre- and post-knowledge assessment. From 2010 to 2012, we conducted 66 education programs in NYC, reaching 1,065 participants, 62.7% of whom were 50 years of age or older identified as Black or Latino and provided information about colonoscopy history (N = 668). Colonoscopy adherence in the sample was 69.3%. There was a significant increase in mean knowledge score about CRC and CRC screening from pretest to posttest. Sixty-eight percent of attendees without prior colonoscopy reported intent to schedule a colonoscopy as a result of attending the program. Culturally targeted education programs with peer testimony are a valuable way to raise awareness about CRC and colonoscopy and can influence intent to screen among nonadherent persons. Additional research is needed to establish group level education as an effective means of promoting CRC screening.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Community Health Planning/organization & administration , Mass Screening/methods , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Aged , Colonoscopy , Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Latinas in the United States. In addition, Latinas experience a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality compared with non-Hispanic White women. Lower use of breast and cervical cancer screening services may contribute to these disparities. To address the underutilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among diverse subgroups of Latinas, a peer-led education program called Esperanza y Vida ("Hope and Life") was developed and administered at 3 sites (2 in New York and 1 in Arkansas). Immigrant Latina women and their partners were educated about the importance of breast and cervical cancer screening, with the goals of increasing their knowledge about these cancers and their screening behavior. An analysis of the intervention's findings at baseline among female participants demonstrated significant sociodemographic, interpersonal, cultural, health care system, and program variability in 3 distinct geographic regions in the United States. These data indicate the need for and feasibility of customizing cancer outreach and educational programs for diverse Latina subgroups living in various U.S. regions, with implications for informing the expansion and replication of the program in other regions of the country.