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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3022.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 8:30 AM

Abstract #108676

Mammogram and Pap smear Screening Behaviors among Asian Indian Women

Ranjita Misra, PhD, CHES, Health&Kinesiology Department, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, 158P Read Building, College Station, TX 77843-4243, 979-845-8726, misra@hlkn.tamu.edu

National studies mask group differences in cancer incidence and mortality when Asian and Pacific Islanders are examined collectively. The purpose of this study was to describe self-breast exam (SBE), clinical breast exam (CBE), mammogram, and Pap smear among 424 Asian Indian women randomly selected in 5 major U.S. cities (Houston, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., San Diego, Boston). Predictor variables included socio-demographic factors, health care factors, cancer beliefs, acculturation, and family history of cancer. The mean age of the respondents was 43.8 years (SD+11.2) with an average 17 years (SD+10.9) of residence in the U.S. The majority were college educated (75%), had health insurance (87.9%), and routine physical exam (67.4%). 71.7% women reported they ever had a CBE, 61.7% perform SBE, 84.8% had a pap smear, and 83.2% over 40 years had a mammogram. Logistic regression showed compared to women who never had cancer screen practices, odds of women who reported they ever had pap smear lived longer in the US, were acculturated, had health insurance, and were younger. Women who ever had CBE lived longer in the US, were acculturated, and had health insurance. Women who ever had mammogram were older, lived longer in the US, had favorable perceptions to cancer screening, and had health insurance. The models explained 61% variance in mammogram, 9% for BSE, 27% for CBE, and 29% for Pap smear. Even though health care coverage was slightly higher than the national average, results indicated Asian Indian women have cancer screening practices lower than the general U.S. population.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

    Keywords: Cancer Screening, Asian and Pacific Islander Women

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    Cancer Screening

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA