The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54983

Victoria M. Taylor, MD, MPH¹, Stephen Schwartz, PhD¹, Yutaka Yasui, PhD¹, Nancy J. Burke, PhD², Jianfen Shu, MS¹, Dieu Hien Lam, BA³, and J. Carey Jackson, MD, MA, MPH⁴. (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) Refugee and Immigrant Health Promotion Program, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359959, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (4) Division of General Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Introduction: Cervical cancer occurs more frequently among Vietnamese Americans than women of any other race/ethnicity. Previous research has documented low levels of cervical cancer screening in Californian Vietnamese communities. This study examined factors associated with Papanicoloaou (Pap) testing among Vietnamese residents of Seattle. Methods: A population-based survey of Vietnamese women was completed in 2002. In-person interviews were conducted by bicultural, bilingual female survey workers. The primary outcome variable was recent Pap testing (i.e., within the last two years). Results: The survey was completed by 544 women (response rate: 82%). Approximately two-thirds (63%) of the respondents reported having a recent Pap smear. The following factors were associated with recent cervical cancer screening in bivariate comparisons: older age (p=0.01), current/previous marriage (p<0.001), having health insurance (p=0.02), greater number of physician visits in the last year (p<0.001), having a regular source of care (p<0.001), having a regular physician (p<0.001), and not reporting cost was a barrier to Pap testing (p=0.02). Among women with a regular source of care, type of health care facility was significantly associated (p<0.001) with recent screening (private doctors’ patients were less likely to have received a recent Pap smear). Among women with a regular physician, those with a male (p<0.001) and Vietnamese (p=0.06) physician were less likely to report cervical cancer screening within the last two years. Discussion: The availability of low cost cervical cancer screening services should be publicized in the Vietnamese community. Our results support targeted interventions for health care providers who are less likely to provide Pap testing.

Learning Objectives:

• List factors associated with cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese American women.

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.