The U.S.-Mexico border area in general and the Arizona (U.S.)-Sonora (Mexico) border area in particular has had a history of economic ties and the sharing of physical, economic ties, cultural, and health characteristics. The proposed study, which focuses on the border community of Douglas/Sulphur Springs Valley in Arizona, highlights the immense and unique health problems that plague the U.S.-Mexico border region. Some of the main contributing factors associated with the myriad of health problems in the region include: poverty, unavailability, and accessibility of preventive health and treatment services.
Because there is a sparsity of research in the area that addressed the health of the population, as well as the dynamics associated with the etiology of prevalent diseases, there may very well be an underestimation of the incidence and prevalence of various diseases that seemingly disproportionately afflict the population. Of particular interest is the preventive value of screening for cervical and breast cancers associated with Hispanic women who live in a border community (Douglass) on the U.S.,-Mexico border.
This study will allow the researchers to address these problems by using a 2 year community-based cohort intervention study. Using data collected from a population-based cross-sectional survey involving 600 women who will be interviewed, the study seeks to gather information relating to utilization and barriers to utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening services.
Learning Objectives: 1)Identify the prevalence of breast and cervical cancers for Hispanic women. 2)Articulate barriers that affect access to and utilization of health care, including screening services. 3) Discuss intervention strategies (involving health workers or promotoras) that increase participation in and sustained involvement with breast and cervical cancer screening services.
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Arizona Health Science Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.