217790 Working with Micronesians United (grassroot social-justice organization) to increase Micronesians breast cancer screening in Hawaii

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Nia Aitaoto, MPH MS , Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Background. Women from the US Associated Pacific jurisdictions —including the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—are among Hawaii's newest immigrants and have very low rates of participation in breast and cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this project was to explore the notion of health as a social justice issue and engage a social justice organization to increase Micronesians' utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening on the island of Oahu and Maui.

Methods. We followed the Health Belief Model and used the following CBPR principles to convene, train and increase the capacity of community lay educators to: build community trust, conduct assessments and transfer skills. Encounters and outcomes were tracked.

Findings. 650 Micronesian women were reached with breast health education and when appropriate, peer educators referred and facilitated women get screened. Of the total reached, 456 women utilized screening services including the Hawaii Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.

Discussion. Engaging a social justice organization to implement a health intervention is effective with this population. Micronesians United now have a health committee and are advocating for health equity in the state of Hawaii.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify key steps in identifying and engaging social justice organizations in the development and implementation of a cancer awareness and screening program for Micronesians. 2) Identify the link between social justice and access to breast cancer screening in the Micronesian community in Hawaii. 3) Define community-based participatory program implementation and evaluation principles within the context of an educational intervention. 4) Apply the knowledge shared to address health issues and concerns in the community(ies) you serve.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Migrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I planned and implemented cancer, tobacco and diabetes programs in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island communities in Hawaii and the Pacific
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.

Back to: 3014.0: Health of Pacific Islanders