227142 A CBPR approach for cervical cancer prevention and early detection among Haitian women

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Hannah Lipshultz, BA , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miami
Erin Kobetz, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Janelle Menard, PhD, MA, MPH , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
Sarah Marsh, CM MPH , Women Health Program Director, Zanmi Lasante/Partners in Health, Boston, MA
Maxi Raymondville, MD , Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante, Boston, MA
Background: In Haiti, cervical cancer is the primary cause of cancer deaths among women. High rates of disease are due, in large part, to a general lack of resources for prevention of disease, untimely follow-up for abnormalities, and limited treatment options. There is also a dearth of low literacy, health education materials, available in Kreyol that convey the importance of prevention and early detection.

Objective: As part of an ongoing CBPR initiative in Thomonde, Haiti, we developed a flipchart to be used by indigenous Community Health Workers (CHWs) to teach women about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.

Methods: Consistent with the tenets of CBPR, the flipchart reflects the input of community members. Focus groups were held in Thomonde, as well as Miami and Orlando, Florida to pilot test the flipchart on four specific dimensions: Overall Impression; Cultural Acceptability; Ease of Comprehension; and, Linguistic Appropriateness. Revisions were made to the flipchart based on participant feedback.

Results: Focus group data indicated that participants strongly supported the use of this flipchart for cervical health education. Women made specific suggestions for improvement based on their cultural insight and learning preferences.

Conclusion: By inviting community participation in the development of this flipchart, an effective and culturally sensitive visual educational tool was created. When paired with indigenous CHWs, this tool holds promise for increasing women's understanding of cervical cancer, HPV and alternative screening methods such as self-sampling. These methods may be useful in other populations with similarly limited health care and educational resources.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the burden of cervical cancer among Haitian women. Describe the development of a culturally, linguistically and literacy appropriate health education flip chart about cervical cancer and self-sampling.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Public Health Education and Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I assisted in the development and testing of this flip chart educational tool from conceptualization and design to field testing and implementation.
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.