Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 9, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 109-114

Knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, traditional health beliefs, and pap testing among vietnamese american women (Article)

Do H.H.* , Taylor V.M. , Burke N. , Yasui Y. , Schwartz S.M. , Jackson J.C.
  • a Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, United States, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States
  • b Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • c Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
  • d Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • e Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • f Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this paper was to examine knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and traditional health beliefs in relation to Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among Vietnamese women. Methods: A population-based survey was conducted in Seattle (n < 352, response rate=82%) during 2002. Results: The proportions of women who knew that older age, not getting regular Pap tests, and Vietnamese ethnicity are associated with an elevated cervical cancer risk were only 53%, 62%, and 23%, respectively. The majority (87%) incorrectly believed poor women's hygiene is a risk factor for cervical cancer. Approximately two-thirds (68%) of the women had received a Pap test during the preceding three years. Knowing that lack of Pap testing increases the risk of cervical cancer was strongly associated (p < 0.001) with recent Pap smear receipt. Conclusion: Our results confirm that Vietnamese women have lower levels of cervical cancer screening than non-Latina white women. Intervention programs addressing Pap testing in Vietnamese communities should recognize women's traditional beliefs while encouraging them to adopt biomedical preventive measures into their daily lives. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2006.

Author Keywords

Vietnamese Americans Traditional health beliefs Cervical cancer risk factors Pap testing

Index Keywords

human Health Behavior health belief priority journal cancer risk cancer prevention cancer screening ethnic difference Asian American female medical information women's health Article major clinical study adult health education uterine cervix cancer Papanicolaou Test personal hygiene public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33846042489&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-006-9025-7&partnerID=40&md5=76f3e250ea34e4a300f9b47019d703f6
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-006-9025-7
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 35
Original Language: English