141st APHA Annual Meeting

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280106
Health is wealth: Breast health promotion strategies for African immigrant women

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Ebun Odeneye, MPH , Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX
Breast cancer among African women is described as aggressive and progressive. Like their African-American counterparts, African women also experience an earlier onset of breast cancer with most cases occurring before age 50. While annual mammography screening is recognized as effective in reducing breast cancer-related morbidity and mortality, immigrants are still less likely to adhere to mammography screening recommendations. Given that African immigrant women make up one of the fastest growing populations in this country, it is paramount to advance science around planning effective breast cancer prevention strategies for this population.

To augment the dearth of literature on this topic, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with African immigrant women in Houston, Texas. The Intervention Mapping program planning approach was then employed to plan a comprehensive, community-based, culturally-appropriate breast health program for this population.

Qualitative data findings will be presented as they relate to African immigrants' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding breast health as well as recommendations for breast health promotion strategies. The resultant program and outcomes of its pilot test will also be discussed. These results have implications for identifying unique cultural factors driving African immigrant health, breast health programmatic implementation issues, and strategies for enhancing effective delivery of future public health interventions for this population.

Intervention Mapping is useful in systematically planning a theory-based, culturally appropriate, comprehensive program for African immigrant women in Houston, Texas. Its iterative nature promotes transparency in the planning process and allows for appropriate program adaptation based on scientific evidence and stakeholders' perspectives.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss qualitative research findings about African immigrant women's experiences regarding breast health and screening service uptake Identify key components of an effective breast health promotion program for African immigrant women Describe effective methods and strategies for promoting breast health behaviors among African immigrant women

Keywords: Breast Cancer, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have extensive academic training in Health Promotion and Health Education. With a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior/Health Education and over 5 years of professional experience designing, implementing and evaluating health promotion programs, I have acquired the knowledge and skills to apply socio-behavioral theories into practice. Among my research interests have been immigrant health and women's health promotion through culturally appropriate programs, tailored approaches, and collaborative academic-community partnerships.
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.