260176 Faith Based Breast Health Intervention for Muslim Afghan Women

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Mehra Shirazi, PhD , School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Joan Bloom, PhD , school of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Aida Shirazi, PhD , Afghan Coalition, Fremont, CA
Rona Popal, MA , Afghan Coalition, Fremont, CA
Background:Using Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) a breast health education program was designed that recognizes the unique social, cultural and religious dynamics of the Muslim Afghan community .

Methods:The intervention incorporates the Afghan culture and religious precepts. The program will be delivered by Lay Health Advisors in Farsi. It includes story telling by Role Models and Community Navigators will assist women needing assistance in obtaining breast screening services. The design incorporates a pre-post test mode of evaluation conducted by bilingual interviewers. Women (N=230) are randomized by group (38 groups) into a clustered, delayed control design. Limited or non-English speaking ,immigrant Afghan women,40 years and older who do not have a history of breast cancer, never had a mammogram or are out of compliance will be eligible. Women will be recruited and educational sessions held. Control group women will receive the intervention following the post-test (six months later).

Results:The program in progress includes: 1)Training of Afghan Heath Advisers and Community Navigators; 2) Development of manuals, presentations, and picture books that are designed to inform and empower women in discussions with family and health-care professionals; 3) Educational sessions that honor Afghan “oral culture” and “Islamic practices”, and stress the importance of women's health within the family; 3) Male specific educational sessions that emphasize the importance of men's role in the Afghan family from an Islamic perspective and his potential impact on early cancer screening.

Conclusion:If the program is successful, we will have a unique breast cancer awareness program for Muslim immigrant women.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. To describe a culturally and faith based health education program for Muslim Afghan women. 2. To increase breast health awareness and use of breast health check-ups among Muslim Afghan women.

Keywords: Faith Community, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the community project director for this grant.
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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