 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Victoria M. Taylor, MD, MPH1, Yutaka Yasui, PhD1, Nancy J. Burke, PhD2, Tung T. Nguyen, MD3, Elizabeth Acorda, BA1, Hue Thai, ND4, and J. Carey Jackson, MD, MA, MPH5. (1) Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, MP702, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-1024, 206-667-5114, vtaylor@fhcrc.org, (2) UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 200, Box 0981, San Francisco, CA 94143-0981, (3) Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0320, San Francisco, CA 94143, (4) Refugee and Immigrant Health Promotion Program, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359959, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (5) Division of General Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Introduction: Vietnamese American women are five times more likely to be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer than their non-Latina white counterparts. Previous research has demonstrated low levels of cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese Americans. Our study objective was to examine factors associated with screening adherence. Methods: A population-based survey of Vietnamese women was completed in Seattle during 2002. Interviews were conducted in participants’ homes by bicultural, bilingual female survey workers. The questionnaire content was guided by an earlier qualitative study and the Adherence Model. The primary outcome variable was Papanicolaou (Pap) testing in the last two years. Results: Our survey was completed by 370 women (response rate: 82%). Less than two-thirds (62%) of the participants had been screened within the last two years. The following factors were associated (p<0.05) with recent cervical cancer screening in bivariate comparisons: current/previous marriage; having a regular source of care and regular provider; believing regular Pap tests decrease the risk of cervical cancer; knowing Pap testing is necessary if asymptomatic, sexually inactive, and after menopause; reporting concern about pain/discomfort and fear of cancer being discovered were barriers to screening; family member(s) and friend(s) had suggested Pap testing; and doctor(s) had recommended Pap testing as well as had asked doctor(s) for Pap testing. Discussion: Our results confirm low levels of cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese American women, and demonstrate the importance of physician-patient interactions in increasing screening adherence. Health education efforts should reinforce the importance of Pap testing for all Vietnamese women.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.