Understanding the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Rates of lung cancer screening among Latinos remain low. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos. Methods: Participants (N=20) were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. Eligibility criteria included: 1) self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 2) spoke English and/or Spanish, and 3) met the USA Preventive Services Task Force eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and English, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Using the health belief model, a qualitative theoretical analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Results: Participants' mean age was 58.3 years old (SD=5.8), half of the participants were female, 55% had completed high school or lower educational level, and 55% reported speaking more Spanish than English. All participants were currently smoking. Fourteen participants (70%) were unaware of lung cancer screening, and eighteen (90%) did not know they were eligible for lung cancer screening. Regarding lung cancer screening, participants reported multiple perceived benefits (e.g., smoking cessation, early detection of lung cancer, increased survivorship) and barriers (e.g., fear of outcomes, cost, lung cancer screening not being recommended by their clinician). Lastly, multiple cues to actions for lung cancer screening were identified (e.g., family as a cue to action for getting screened). Conclusions: Most Latinos who were eligible for lung cancer screening were unaware of it and, when informed, they reported multiple perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action. These factors provide concrete operational strategies to address lung cancer screening among Latinos.

Voces actuales en el fenómeno de pasantes de drogas ilícitas en Colombia / Current voices in the phenomenon of illicit drug couriers in Colombia / Vozes atuais no fenômeno dos passantes de drogas ilícitas na Colômbia

Resumen Este documento se deriva del análisis realizado a las narrativas de los pasantes de drogas ilícitas denominados popularmente como "mulas"; de manera especial, resalta su mirada localizada sobre el fenómeno del tráfico ilegal de drogas en Colombia. El escrito tiene como objetivo: primero, caracterizar la multiplicidad de conceptos que se utilizan para describir este fenómeno y proponer una definición que abarque diferentes acepciones, y segundo, presentar categorías conceptuales que se desprenden de las narrativas de los pasantes de drogas. Como metodología se utilizó el análisis de contenido, para describir, sistematizar y analizar los testimonios voluntarios de 42 personas imputadas y condenadas como pasantes de drogas ilícitas en Colombia. Esta investigación argumenta que uno de los elementos para entender el fenómeno de los pasantes de drogas ilícitas y su experiencia es su condición de vulnerabilidad. Por un lado, los pasantes ocupan un lugar periférico en las organizaciones narcotraficantes; por otro, son altamente vulnerables al sistema socio-técnico establecido por el Estado para prevenir el transporte de drogas ilícitas. Este estudio muestra que las narrativas de los pasantes de drogas se pueden categorizar en cuatro dicotomías, que sirven como elementos retóricos para la ruptura del binario legalidad/ilegalidad.

Abstract This document derives from the analysis carried out on the accounts and narratives of illegal drug carriers popularly known as "pasantes", more generally as mules, and in a special way, it stresses the view focused on the phenomenon of illicit drug trafficking in Colombia. The article's objectives are: firstly to characterize the multiplicity of concepts used to describe this phenomenon and offer a definition capable of encompassing different meanings, and secondly to show conceptual categories stemming from the illicit drug accounts. The methodology used content analysis to describe, systematize and analyze the voluntary testimonies of 42 individuals accused and convicted in Colombia as illegal drug carriers. In this research it is argued that one of the various elements helping understand the mule phenomenon and their experience is their vulnerability conditions. On the one hand, they have a peripheral place in drug trafficker's organizations. On the other hand, their vulnerability to the social-technical system established by the State to prevent illicit-drug transportation is very high. . This study shows that the mule's narratives can be categorized into four dichotomies serving as rhetoric elements for the breaking of the legality/illegality binary.

Resumo Este documento é derivado da análise feita às narrativas dos passantes de drogas ilícitas chamadas popularmente "mulas"; da maneira especial, destaca sua olhada localizada no fenômeno do tráfego ilegal de drogas está na Colômbia. O escrito tem como o objetivo: primeiramente, caracterizar a multiplicidade dos conceitos que são usados descrever este fenômeno e propor uma definição que abrange diferentes acepções, e segundo, apresentar categorias conceituais que se desprendem das narrativas dos passantes das drogas. Enquanto a metodologia foi usada a análise de conteúdo, para descrever, sistematizar e analisar os testemunhos voluntários de 42 pessoas imputadas e condenadas como passantes de drogas ilícitas na Colômbia. Esta investigação argumenta que um dos elementos para compreender o fenômeno dos passantes de drogas ilícitas e de sua experiência é sua condição da vulnerabilidade. De um lado, os passantes ocupam um lugar periférico nas organizações narcotraficantes; por outro, são altamente vulneráveis ao sistema sócio-técnico estabelecido pelo Estado para impedir o transporte com drogas ilícitas. Este estudo amostra que as narrativas dos passantes das drogas podem se categorizar em quatro dicotomias, que funcionam como elementos retóricos para a ruptura do binário legalidade/ilegalidade.

Maximizing participation of Hispanic community-based/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in emergency preparedness.

To better understand social and structural changes needed to maximize community-based participation in emergency preparedness, 27 organizations, representing 12 states, participated in a study of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. The study assessed social change needs (social will, community readiness, assets, and barriers) and structural needs (organizational capacity to integrate services into emergency management efforts locally). Results show high social will but little community readiness. Most non-governmental organizations (NGOs; 96%) were willing, but ill-prepared (65%) to face large-scale emergencies. Assets include bilingual/bicultural personnel, cultural competency, local knowledge, and public trust. Barriers include lack of culturally appropriate training and resources. Structurally, most NGOs want to link with voluntary organizations (79%) and public health departments (74%), but lack integration and coordination. Maximizing timely participation of these underutilized stakeholders in emergency planning can ensure culturally-proficient, community-tailored emergency plans, increased public confidence, and timely compliance with evacuation orders, thus helping to save lives.