187052 Fayetteville area inter-faith commitment to colorectal health awareness and cancer reduction in African Americans

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 9:15 AM

Phyllis Morgan, PhD, APRN, BC , Department of Nursing, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
     
The goal of this study was to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) among African Americans in Fayetteville, North Carolina. An educational intervention was implemented to 1) increase knowledge of CRC prevention, screening, and detection, 2) decrease cancer fatalism, and 3) increase participation in screening for colorectal cancer among African Americans age 50 and older in general and age 40 and older who are at high risk for CRC.

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy were the recommended preventative strategies. The objectives of the project focused on African Americans in the Fayetteville area were to 1) identify environmental and lifestyle risk factors for CRC and screening, 2) develop an educational intervention to promote the use of CRC prevention, screening, and early detection activities, and 3) evaluate the effect of a tailored educational intervention on knowledge, health beliefs and screening behaviors for CRC.

The sample of African American men and women was recruited from 13 faith/community-based organizations and participated in a one-hour educational session. The research questions were 1) What is the effect of a tailored educational intervention on perceived risks, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cancer fatalism scores? 2) What is the effect of a tailored colorectal educational intervention on CRC screening behaviors of African Americans living in Fayetteville? 3) What are the personal and medical factors that predict CRC screening among African Americans in the Fayetteville area? Preliminary findings, policy issues and implications of the study will be discussed.

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Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the factors that have contributed to increased participation in colorectal screening among African Americans. 2. Discuss policy implications regarding increasing the participation of African Americans in colorectal screening.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Areas of research study include breast cancer treatment, African American couples coping with breast cancer and African Americans and colorectal cancer.
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.

See more of: Findings from Intervention Research to Reduce Health Disparities
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