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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ana Natale-Pereira, MD, MPH¹, Marielos Vega, RN², Dawne M. Mouzon, MPH¹, Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, MPH¹, and Carmen Mclaughlin, MPH¹. (1) Division of Academic Medicine, Geriatrics and Community Programs, New Jersey Medical School, 150 Bergen Street UH-H251, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07103, 973-972-8994, natalean@umdnj.edu, (2) Family Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103

This study explores strategies to increase knowledge regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) and screening among African Americans and Hispanic Americans through empowering community leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to disseminate CRC information to the community. This cross-sectional research study is comprised of two phases. Phase I involves data collection and educational module development. The objectives are: 1) assess the CRC knowledge of the community leaders and the older minority population; 2) develop a comprehensive educational module. Phase II focuses on testing and implementing the module, and training community leaders to use it as a tool for CRC information dissemination, utilizing a train the trainer model. Findings indicated that 82% of community leaders were college graduates or higher, 82 % where women, and 86 % had heard about CRC. Yet, despite their high levels of education, only 54 % knew the recommended age for screening, only 29% knew about yearly fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and 95% admitted to have received very little or no education about CRC in the past. The level of education of community leaders did not correlate with their knowledge about CRC. Increasing knowledge regarding CRC among community leaders and training them to disseminate the information is an effective model of cancer education, and community collaboration. Overall the effort is to increase screening rates and reduce disparities in care.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session the participant will be able to

• Describe the knowledge of African Americans and Hispanic Americans about colorectal cancer.
• Describe strategies for dissemination of information about prevention of colorectal cancer.
• Discuss the impact of community leaders in disseminating information about prevention of colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation