243937 FACS (Females Against Cancer Series) promote healthy bodies and healthy communities

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 12:50 PM

Tasha Louis-Nance, EdD, MRC, MEd , Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Minnjuan Flournoy, PhD (c) , Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Karen Clinton, MBA(c) , Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Tiffany Conyers, LMSW , USC-Claflin Center of Excellence in Cancer and HIV Research, Orangeburg, SC
Saundra Glover, MBA, PhD , Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina - Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
The USC-Claflin Center for Excellence facilitates partnerships that work toward eliminating the health disparities that exist in rural, African-American communities, particularly among Orangeburg County, South Carolina residents. South Carolina ranks 14th in the nation both in cervical cancer incidence and mortality; the rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are disproportionately higher in African American women in SC and higher in rural SC. The Center, Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5, and the Orangeburg community developed an educational program entitled Females Against Cancer Series. The 7-part series consisted of interactive sessions for District middle and high school African-American girls and their mothers. Approximately 25 mother/daughter dyads participated in 4-hour sessions on Saturdays in 2010. The series highlighted topics such as HPV and its related cancers, STIs, healthy relationships, and decision-making and communication skills. Pre- and post-evaluations were administered to measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to session topics. Quantitative and qualitative responses were summarized, coded and analyzed.

Results demonstrated an increase in knowledge about HPV, and its comorbidities/coinfections and an improvement in communication between mothers and daughters. Participants also discussed the role of technology in communication. Daughters indicated feeling empowered to not engage in unhealthy relationships; mothers indicated that they were able to continue conversations initiated in the sessions with their daughters. When equipped with the necessary tools, parents and daughters can communicate more openly about making informed decisions regarding HPV vaccination, as well as additional protective behaviors that prevent cervical cancer.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to: Discuss the immediate impact of a mother/daughter HPV/cervical cancer educational program Describe the strengths that each partner contributed to an educational program designed to address cervical cancer disparities Identify the challenges and barriers that must be addressed in order for all partners to provide value-added contributions

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Cervical Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the FACS program director.
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.