298707
Increasing breast cancer screening among the sub-population of women with intellectual disabilities who live with their families
Background: Women with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a similar prevalence of breast cancer as women without disabilities, but have significantly lower rates of regular mammography screening, and higher breast cancer mortality. Of all residential subgroups, women who live with their families have the lowest mammography rates of all women with ID.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study of family members of women with ID related to their perceptions and attitudes regarding mammography, health care decision making and their loved one. We then developed and evaluated an educational DVD about mammography targeting women with ID and their families, and staring actresses with ID. The format is accessible and inclusive, and was designed to address the unique experiences and barriers of women with ID who live with their families. We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility DVD using focus groups of women and family members, key informant interviews and pre and post-DVD testing using the Family Member Mistrust Instrument (FAMMI), a scale we developed.
Results: Initial results show that the DVD is acceptable and feasible intervention to raise breast cancer screening empowerment and decrease medical mistrust in women with ID and their family members.
Discussion: Adults with intellectual disabilities face significant health disparities and often make health care decisions in the context of their families. While further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the DVD in raising mammography rates, accessible health promotion interventions that target adults with ID and their families are a promising strategy for disparity reduction.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationAssessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe the rationale for targeting both women with intellectual disabilities and their family members in educational interventions to increase mammography use in women with ID.
Discuss disparities in breast cancer screening access among women with ID, including sub-populations as defined by residence, and list 2 strategies for disparity reduction
Keyword(s): Disabilities, Cancer and Women’s Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an early career researcher focused on health care access and disparities for women with intellectual disabilities, including primary care and cancer screening, with a focus on mammography access, reproductive health and aging. This study was conducted under the supervision of my mentor, who has multiple federal grants related to breast cancer disparity reduction and mammography in women with intellectual disabilities.
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.