Patterns and Correlates of Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Black Immigrant and African American Women in the USA: the Role of Ethnicity and Culture.

Cervical cancer prevention disparities between Black and White women have been researched extensively, but less is known about disparities among Black subpopulations, despite increased risk, distinct cultures, and rapidly increasing numbers of Black immigrant women to the USA. A 74-item survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional descriptive study. Independent sample t tests, logistic multiple regressions, and chi-square tests were used to carry out all comparative analyses. The survey was administered via Psychdata from January 2020 to February 2020. The final sample included 450 eligible participants (African American women [AAW] = 335; Black immigrant women [BIW] from either West, Central, East Africa, or the Caribbean = 115). Compared to AAW, BIW demonstrated much lower knowledge of cervical cancer, AAW were more likely to visit a gynecologist, and to have had a well-woman exam every 3 years or less. A greater percentage of BIW reported not getting Pap smear test because they had no symptoms or because they feared bad results while AAW reported not receiving a Pap smear because it was not convenient, they did not trust any doctor/gynecologist, and lacked access to a gynecologist. Doctor and family advising had a much larger effect on cervical screening among BIW compared to AAW. This study provides evidence of crucial differences in CC knowledge, attitudes, and screening behaviors among BIW and AAW. Funding agencies, program planners and evaluators, and health policymakers are encouraged to require disaggregation of Black women in healthcare research to tease out specific ways interventions can be most effective.

The role of social support in students' perceived abilities and attitudes toward math and science.

Social cognitive models examining academic and career outcomes emphasize constructs such as attitude, interest, and self-efficacy as key factors affecting students' pursuit of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses and careers. The current research examines another under-researched component of social cognitive models: social support, and the relationship between this component and attitude and self-efficacy in math and science. A large cross-sectional design was used gathering data from 1,552 participants in four adolescent school settings from 5th grade to early college (41 % female, 80 % white). Students completed measures of perceived social support from parents, teachers and friends as well as their perceived ability and attitudes toward math and science. Fifth grade and college students reported higher levels of support from teachers and friends when compared to students at other grade levels. In addition, students who perceived greater social support for math and science from parents, teachers, and friends reported better attitudes and had higher perceptions of their abilities in math and science. Lastly, structural equation modeling revealed that social support had both a direct effect on math and science perceived abilities and an indirect effect mediated through math and science attitudes. Findings suggest that students who perceive greater social support for math and science from parents, teachers, and friends have more positive attitudes toward math and science and a higher sense of their own competence in these subjects.

Two Peas in a Pod? An Exploratory Examination Into Cancer-Related Psychosocial Characteristics and Health Behaviors Among Black Immigrants and African Americans.

Introduction. Most studies lump Black immigrants (BIs) and African Americans (AAs) as "Black/African American" during investigation. Such categorization assumes that the sociocultural determinants that influence BIs are the same as for AAs. This study attempts to disentangle the AA and BI subgroups to recognize the differences in cancer-related psychosocial characteristics and health behaviors. Methods. Merged data from the Health Information National Survey (2011-2017) were used. Two groups were created: those who identified as AA and those who identified as AA but were born outside the United States (BI). Between-group differences were assessed with Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Results. Positive communication patterns with health care providers were significantly higher among AAs (M [mean] = 3.41, SD [standard deviation] = 0.68) compared with BIs (M = 3.28, SD = 0.71) (p = .004). A greater proportion of BIs indicated that their health was excellent (14.2%), compared with AAs (7.9%). AAs reported higher cancer family history (75.1%) than BIs (46.5%). More AAs had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime (41.5%) than BIs (16.7%). BIs consumed significantly more fruits each day (M = 2.77, SD = 1.43) than AAs (M = 2.40, SD = 1.44) (p < .001). BIs also reported more physical activity (M = 2.62, SD = 2.15) than AAs (M = 2.37, SD = 2.18) (p = .030). AA women were more likely to have had a pap smear test (M = 2.07, SD = 1.44) compared with BI women (M = 1.73, SD = 1.21) (p = .002). Discussion. Evidence suggests the need to disentangle the "Black/African American" ethnic grouping. Lumping the BI populations together with the AAs, who have been in the United States for generations, may limit the ability to uncover and consequently address culturally driven disease prevention efforts and promote understanding of the biological, environmental, and psychosocial risk factors within Black heterogeneous populations.