178992 Preventing Cervical Cancer in Little Haiti: A CBPR Success Story

Monday, October 27, 2008: 5:30 PM

Erin Kobetz, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Joshua D. Diem, PhD , Department of Teaching and Learning, University of Miami, School of Education, Coral Gables, FL
Cheryl Brewster, EdD , Family Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Bal Harbour, FL
Lindley Barbee, PhD , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Larinus Pierre, MD, MPH , Center for Haitian Studies, Miami, FL
Pascale Auguste , Hatian American Association Against Cancer, Miami, FL
Jenny Blanco, MPH , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
Betsy Barton, MA , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Cneter, Miami, FL
Haitian women residing in Little Haiti, the predominately Haitian neighborhood in Miami, Florida, experience an increased risk of developing and dying from cervical cancer. This disparity likely ensues from the interplay of multiple factors, most notably underutilization of Pap smear screening. Historical efforts to improve routine screening in Little Haiti have been largely unsuccessful, though there is limited empirical data to explain why . As part of an ongoing Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) initiative in Little Haiti known as Patne en Akyson (Partners in Action), we conducted a series of key informant interviews (n=20) to explore community leaders' perspectives on the futility of past efforts. Our findings implicate the discrepancy between Haitian and Western Medicine's notions of disease prevention, racism, and disenfranchisement from the formal economy as potential barriers to successful cancer prevention in this community. This presentation will describe our efforts to overcome such barriers through meaningful collaboration and cooperation between academic investigators from the University of Miami and community leaders from Little Haiti. Over the past three years, we have worked collectively to identify low-cost, culturally acceptable alternatives to the Pap smear,and to promote screening in a manner consistent with Haitian socio-cultural perceptions of health and disease prevention. Our experience may inform future CBPR efforts in other communities at similar risk for contributing to cancer disparities.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to: 1) describe the excess incidence of cervical cancer in Little Haiti, the predominately Haitian neighborhood in Miami, Florida 2) explain challenges to effective cervical cancer prevention in Little Haiti 3) discuss the approaches employed as part of an ongoing CBPR initiative to address such challenges

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Invesgtigator. This represents my independent research
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.