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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

• Slides (pdf) or Handout

• Slides (pdf) or Handout

Phyllis Morgan, PhD, APRN, BC and Indira Tyler, MS, RN. Department of Nursing, Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301, 910-672-2132, pmorgan@uncfsu.edu

The goal of this study was to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) among African Americans in Fayetteville, North Carolina. An educational intervention was implemented to 1) increase knowledge of CRC prevention, screening, and detection, 2) decrease cancer fatalism, and 3) increase participation in screening for CRC among African Americans age 50 and older in general and age 40 and older who are at high risk for CRC.

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy were recommended to screen for CRC. The objectives of the project focused on African Americans in the Fayetteville area were to: 1) identify environmental and lifestyle risk factors for CRC, 2) develop an educational intervention to promote the use of CRC prevention, screening, and early detection activities, and 3) evaluate the effect of a culturally targeted educational intervention on knowledge, cancer fatalism, health beliefs and screening behaviors for CRC.

The sample of African American men and women was recruited from 25 faith/community-based organizations and participated in a one-hour educational session. The research questions were 1) What is the effect of a culturally targeted educational intervention on perceived risks, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cancer fatalism scores? 2) What is the effect of a culturally targeted colorectal educational intervention on CRC screening behaviors of African Americans living in Fayetteville? and 3) What are the demographic and socioeconomic factors that predict CRC screening among African Americans in the Fayetteville area? Preliminary findings, policy issues and implications of the study will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to

• Describe the prevalence of colorectal cancer among African Americans in the Fayetteville area.
• Identify demographic and socioeconomic factors that may predict screening for CRC among African Americans.
• Identify the utility of a culturally targeted intervention to decrease cancer fatalism, increase colorectal cancer knowledge, and improve colorectal screening behaviors among African Americans within the Fayetteville, NC area.
• Discuss policy issues abd implications.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout