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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Patterns of Cancer Screening: A Self‐report Among Foreign Born Hispanic Women Utilizing Rural Migrant Health Clinics
Author(s) -
Skaer Tracy L.,
Robison Linda M.,
Sclar David A.,
Harding Gary H.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.1996.tb00791.x
Subject(s) - foreign born , medicine , family medicine , cancer , cancer screening , gerontology , environmental health , population
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States and are currently Washington state's largest minority, with the highest growth rates found in the rural agricultural areas of eastern Washington state. Because breast and cervical cancer mortality rates are higher in Hispanics than other U.S. women, subgroups of Hispanic women with the lowest cancer screening utilization rates need to be identified and targeted for cancer control intervention to most effectively reduce late‐stage cancer diagnoses and mortality. A study was conducted at six migrant health clinics located throughout eastern Washington state to discern age‐specific proportions for utilization of mammography, breast self‐examination, and Pap smears among Hispanic migrants to the United States. Knowledge and attitudes regarding these procedures also were assessed and face‐to‐face interviews were completed with 512 women. Among women 20 years or older, 15 percent had never heard of a Pap smear, only 78 percent had ever received a Pap smear, and only 44 percent had received a Pap smear within the prior year. In all, 73 percent of the women had been taught breast self‐examination, 62 percent performed breast self‐examination, and 41 percent had performed a breast self‐examination in the prior month. Among women 40 years or older, only 38 percent had never heard of a mammogram, 38 percent had ever received a mammogram, and only 30 percent had received a mammogram in the prior two years. Cost was reported as a major barrier for screening in this population. Additionalzy, a substantial proportion of the women perceived Pap smears and mammography as unnecessary or diagnostic procedures, rather than preventive health measures. The above breast and cervical cancer screening rates fall well below those documented in national studies of US. women and Hispanic women, as well as below the recommended guidelines of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. Culturally sensitive in tmentions to increase cancer screening knowledge and rates are urgently needed for high‐risk groups of Hispanic women, especially those 50 years or older.