3045.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 1:15 PM

Abstract #17786

Examining variations in knowledge and practice of breast cancer screening among low income urban latina women

Heather M. Foti, MPH1, Mary Ann Chiasson, DrPH2, Dorothy Jones Jessop, PhD1, and Maria Uribellarrea, NP3. (1) Research and Evaluation Unit, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc, 40 Worth Street, Room 720, New York, NY 10007, 212-285-0220, HFoti@mhra.org, (2) Research and Evaluation Unit, Medical and Health Research Association of NYC, Inc, 40 Worth Street, Room 720, New York, NY 10013, (3) MIC-Women's Health Services, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc, 225 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10007

To determine whether variations in knowledge and practices about breast cancer screening exist among Latina subgroups in NYC, we initiated a needs assessment at MIC-Women's Health Services (MIC), a program providing prenatal care and family planning services to a predominantly low-income, immigrant population. A sample of 571 Latina women was recruited and interviewed. The mean age of respondents was 28 years, 94% responded in Spanish, only 39% had a regular place for health care besides MIC, and only 25% rated their health as "excellent" or "very good". Analysis showed significant X2 results (p < 0.05) among the three largest subgroups (Dominican, Mexican, Ecuadorian) in regard to whether respondents had heard of breast self exam (BSE) (89%, 70%, 69% respectively), physician breast exam (PBE) (96%, 85%, 88%), and mammogram (96%, 71%, 87%). Also significant was whether respondents had been taught how to perform BSE (81%, 66%, 70%), and whether they had a PBE (92%, 83%, 78%) or mammogram (96%, 71%, 87%). Among all women, those who knew one or more women who had breast cancer were significantly more likely (p < 0.05) to have heard of BSE (Odds Ratio (OR)=3.42) and PBE (OR=4.34), to have performed BSE (OR=1.68), and had PBE (OR=2.2). They were also significantly more likely to have heard of mammogram (OR=4.37) and to have had a mammogram (OR=1.97). They additionally estimated their chance of developing breast cancer as higher than average, X2=16.0, (p < 0.05).

Learning Objectives: N/A

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA