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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

María E. Fernández, PhD¹, Rosario C. Wippold, RNC, MPH², Janet L. Williams, MPH¹, and Theresa Byrd, DrPH³. (1) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin Suite 2558, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9626, maria.e.fernandez@uth.tmc.edu, (2) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas, School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin suite 2576 E, Houston, TX 77030, (3) El Paso, Regional Campus, UT Health Science Center-School of Public Health, 1100 N. Stanton, EL Paso, TX 79902, Albania

Background: In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, the death rate from colorectal cancer has increased significantly over the last 30 years. Studies show that screening for colorectal cancer can save lives, yet many Hispanics are not receiving the recommended screening.

Method: A study was conducted in three cities along the TX-Mexico border(El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville). Interviews were conducted with 544 men and women to obtain information about correlates of screening and to gain a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to preventive health care and CRCS among Hispanic men and women over 50.

Results: Seventy-three percent of the study participants were women 73% and 27% were men ranging in age from 50-89. Almost all of the participants (98.2%) reported a Hispanic origin of Mexican American, Mexican, or Chicana. Most of the participants (84.4%) had less than 12 years of education. The annual household income of 55.4% of the participants was less than $10,000, while 49.4% had no form of insurance coverage. Almost half (40.3%) of the participants had never heard of any type of screening test for colorectal cancer. Only 35.5% were aware of FOBT and 30.6% had heard of colonoscopy. Approximately one-third (34%) had at least one of the colorectal cancer screening test, but many of these were prompted by existing symptoms rather than routine screening. Among these participants, 22.3% had FOBT and 11.7% had colonoscopy. Correlates of screening will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: