The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65482

Adina Smith, PhD, Suzanne Christopher, PhD, Alma Knows His Gun McCormick, Vanessa Watts, BS, Jessyca Small, and Victoria LaFromboise, BS. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, 104 Hosaeus Complex, Bozeman, MT 59717, 406-994-5993, adinas@montana.edu

High rates of cervical cancer exist on Native American reservations as do strong cultural beliefs about this disease which often act as barriers to cancer prevention. In order to educate Native women about cervical cancer and increase prevention in a respectful manner, we are implementing a culturally sensitive community-based participatory cervical health project. Twenty-five women who were identified as natural helpers in the Apsáalooke (Crow) community were trained as lay health advisors (LHAs) for this project. The project is called Messengers for Health and the LHAs are referred to as Messengers. These women are responsible for providing education and information to women in their community about cervical health and helping women overcome barriers to receiving yearly cervical health screening. They share their knowledge through means that are culturally respectful and natural to them such as talking with other women at church, the grocery store, or post-office, by going to women’s homes, or by phone contact. Also, the Messengers share their knowledge at community events such as the Women’s Health Fair or conduct group presentations for schools or organizations. Monthly meetings are held in which the Messengers share their progress, impressions, obstacles, and suggestions with the project staff and each other. In our presentation we will discuss the Messengers perspectives after one year of conducting their responsibilities. The discussion will include Messengers’ view of their progress, concerns, barriers to education and prevention, future goals, and suggestions for better ways to reach women to educate them about cervical health.

Learning Objectives:

• understand a lay health advisor model being implemented on the Apsáalooke (Crow) reservation
• describe the role and responsibilities of the lay health advisors
• identify the barriers and concerns that lay health advisors encounter in this community

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.