American Journal of Public Health
Volume 99, Issue SUPPL. 2, 2009, Pages S467-S473

Outcomes of a breast health project for Hmong women and men in California (Article)

Kagawa-Singer M.* , Tanjasiri S.P. , Valdez A. , Yu H. , Foo M.A.
  • a Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • b Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Fullerton, CA, United States
  • c Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • d Center for Health Policy Research, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • e Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Garden Grove, CA, United States

Abstract

Objectives. We used a community-based research approach to test a culturally based breast cancer screening program among low-income Hmong women in central and southern California. Methods. We designed a culturally informed educational program with measures at baseline and 1-year follow-up in 2 intervention cities and 1 comparison city. Measures included changes in breast cancer screening, knowledge, and attitudes. Results. Compared with women in the comparison community, women in the intervention community significantly improved their attitudes toward, and increased their knowledge and receipt of, breast cancer screenings. Odds of women in the intervention group having had a mammogram, having had a clinical breast examination, and having performed breast self-examination was 6.75, 12.16, and 20.06, respectively, compared with women in the comparison group. Conclusions. Culturally informed education materials and intervention design were effective methods in conveying the importance of maintaining and monitoring proper breast health. The strength of community collaboration in survey development and intervention design highlighted the challenges of early detection and screening programs among newer immigrants, who face significant language and cultural barriers to care, and identified promising practices to overcome these health literacy challenges.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant breast cancer Breast Self-Examination health promotion lowest income group community care follow up human middle aged Asian continental ancestry group controlled study comparative study cancer screening breast self examination Patient Education as Topic knowledge United States Humans Breast Neoplasms Mammography California male Emigrants and Immigrants female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article major clinical study adult health education cancer diagnosis Case-Control Studies attitude to health

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70350063604&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2008.143974&partnerID=40&md5=db18f0242ccee95f9bf9fea27035ce65

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.143974
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English