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

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.