Effectiveness of the Promoting Access to Health for Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian Women (PATH for Women) Study: Outreach and Education to Promote Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of a community based intervention aimed at increasing breast and cervical cancer screening in four Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) subgroups. Methods: Participants were recruited from community clinics, churches, and supermarkets throughout Southern and Northern California. The baseline sample consisted of 1733 foreign born Cambodians (n = 350), Laotians (n = 354), Thais (n = 741), and Tongans (n = 288). After baseline data were collected in the two communities, community based culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, education and patient navigation was conducted in Southern California whereas the Northern California site served as the control group. Prospective follow up data were collected 1 year later. Multivariate analyses were performed on the complete, intent to treat, and imputed data to evaluate the impact of loss due to attrition on the results. Results: Among those who had never received a Pap test, mammography, and clinical breast exam at baseline, increases between groups were not found. However, ethnic group differences were found on the exposure to the intervention. Ethic group status and exposure to specific outreach and education components were found to impact the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding breast and cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: A culturally tailored intervention and awareness initiative can be used to promote positive perceptions of breast and cervical cancer screening among AAPI women. However, ethnic subgroup differences were evident in the AAPI women included in the study.