198826 Wisdom of lay health advisors: A link between community and breast cancer screening

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Natasha Lynn Reed , School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
Kathleen M. Russell, DNS, RN , School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
Background: Medically underserved African American women have multiple personal, social, and environmental barriers to mammography for early detection of breast cancer. Lay Health Advisors (LHAs) are effective in decreasing barriers to screening. To better understand the experiences of LHAs in reaching these high risk women, we conducted a case study with LHAs, who were part of a Midwestern urban community intervention study to increase mammography screening. Methods: A focus group was conducted with the project's three LHAs who were older African American women and residents of the community. Focus group questions involved descriptions of experiences in their role, challenges encountered in fieldwork, changes needed in the project, and processes that were working well. Data was transcribed and analyzed with content analysis procedures. Results: Three themes emerged including 1) What it takes to be an LHA, (2) Ups and Downs of being an LHA, and (3) Learning about the Community and Oneself. Conclusion: Study findings provide insight when designing LHA interventions targeting medically underserved populations for nursing research and public health nursing practice.

Learning Objectives:
1.Identify the characteristics and roles of lay health advisors in the early detection of breast cancer in an urban African American community. 2.Describe lay health advisors’ perceptions of characteristics and attributes needed to become a lay health advisor. 3.Discuss personal and community challenges lay health advisors may experience in a community research project. 4.Identify perceived benefits and experiences gained as a lay health advisor.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Student research assistant who conducted primary content analysis for 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.

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