197376 Evidence-based intervention to reduce access barriers to cervical cancer screening among underserved Chinese American women

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Grace X. Ma, PhD , Department of Public Health, Center for Asian Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Xingjie Wang, MD , Chinatown Medical Clinic, Flushing, NY
Carolyn Y. Fang, PhD , Division of Population Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cheltenham, PA
Yin Tan, MD, MPH , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Leslie Cooper, PhD, MPH, B , Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
Background: Current data suggest that Chinese women have high rates of cervical cancer but low incidence rates due to low screening rates. Objectives: The purpose was to evaluate the effects of a community-based intervention that combined cervical cancer education with patient navigation among Chinese American women residing in New York City. Methods: Chinese women (n = 134) who had not had a Pap test within the past year were recruited from four Asian community-based organizations (CBOs). Women from two CBOs received the intervention program (n= 80) consisting of education, interaction with a Chinese physician, and navigation assistance. Women in the control program (n = 54) received education and written materials on general health and cancer screening, and information about sites that provided free services. Assessment was conducted in-person at baseline and post-intervention. Screening behavior was self-reported at 12-month post-intervention and verified by medical staff. Data was analyzed by the chi square test, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals with hierarchical logistic regression analyses. Results: At 12-month follow-up, screening rates were significantly higher in the intervention(70%) compared to the control group (11.1%). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses indicated that screening behavior was associated with older age. In addition, women with poorer English language, and those who lacked health insurance were less likely to obtain screening. Also, greater perceived severity of disease was positively associated with screening behavior. Discussion: Community-based programs providing combined education and patient navigation are effective in overcoming linguistic and access barriers to screening faced by Chinese American women.

Learning Objectives:
Describe characteristics of Chinese women who have been never-screened screened for cervical cancer; Describe barriers that lead to these low screening of cervical cancer; and Discuss how results of this study can be used to development of an intervention strategy that would improve the rate of cervical cancer screening in Chinese women.

Keywords: Barriers to Care, Cervical Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator of the study to be presented. There is no conflict of interest with any commercial entity associated with this study.
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.