Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111886

Andrea L. Leinberger-Jabari, MPH, Minnesota International Health Volunteers, 122 W. Franklin Avenue, Suite 510, Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-230-3254, aleinberger@mihv.org

Cancer is an emerging disease for the Somali immigrant and refugee population because life expectancy in the United States is expected to increase and because screening tests for cancer were never performed in Somalia. Somali women have higher screening rates than the aggregate African-born population, but these rates are considerably lower than the general population in Minnesota. This study attempts to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and breast and cervical cancer screening utilization by Somali women in Minnesota. A sample of 190 Somali women were interviewed and asked questions about health knowledge and practices, specifically knowledge and practices relating to breast and cervical cancer. Women were asked if they had ever had a mammogram, clinical breast exam, or a Pap smear. Socio-demographic characteristics measured in the survey were divided into categories of predisposing, enabling and acculturation. There were no significant predictors of mammogram usage. Married women were twice as likely to have had a clinical breast exam, and women who had a primary care provider were five times more likely to have ever had a Pap smear. Women who used an interpreter were less likely to have ever had a Pap smear. Although a majority of the women reported having health insurance, women who had health insurance were less likely to report having had any of the screening tests. This study and accompanying research illustrates that Somali women may benefit from more personalized messages about cancer screening from individuals they can identify with and trust.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify factors that contribute to lower cancer screening rates in Somali refugee women.
• 2. Recognize that aggregate health data masks disparities in health for African-born refugee populations.
• 3. Discuss culturally-appropriate methods for increasing cancer screening usage among Somali refugee women.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Cancer Screening

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.