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

Abstract #55587

Nancy J. Burke, PhD¹, JC Jackson, MD, MPH, MA², Dieu Hien Lam, BA³, Elizabeth Acorda, BA⁴, Nadine L. Chan, MPH⁵, and Victoria M. Taylor, MD, MPH⁴. (1) Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 200, Box 0981, San Francisco, CA 94143 -0981, 415-597-9377, nburke@cc.ucsf.edu, (2) Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, (3) Refugee and Immigrant Health Promotion Program, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359959, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (4) Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, MP702, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, (5) Public Health Sciences Division/Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., MP702, PO Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024

Introduction: Vietnamese women are more than five times more likely to be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer than non-Latina white women, yet have lower rates of cervical cancer screening. Little detailed information exists, however, on illness prevention behaviors and perceptions of cancer screening among Vietnamese American women. Methods: As part of a larger project to examine factors associated with screening adherence among Vietnamese Americans, we conducted 25 individual interviews and 5 focus groups focused on women’s health practices, understandings of cervical cancer, and Pap testing. Participants were Vietnamese American women, ages 30 – 81, living in the Seattle area. Trained bilingual, bicultural interviewers conducted audiotaped interviews in Vietnamese. Tapes were transcribed in Vietnamese and later translated verbatim into English. Qualitative data software (QSR NUD*IST N5) was used to assist in analysis of text data. Transcripts were reviewed and discussed by four researchers and coded in teams of two. Findings: Women participants in interviews and focus groups elaborated an intricate model of women’s health drawing on multiple sources of knowledge: an indigenous model including post partum practices and vaginal washing (rua ray), traditional Vietnamese medical theory emphasizing balance in the blood and the flow of khi (energy), and biomedical notions about infections and their treatment. Qualitative data provided an important window into personal experiences and pre-existing cultural models that influence decisions about health and illness, and understandings of cervical cancer specifically. Conclusions: Women’s narratives provide insight into factors influencing late stage diagnosis and screening aversion essential to the development of effective interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize personal and cultural models influencing cancer screening behavior among Vietnamese American women and how to elicit such information.

Keywords: Asian Women, Cervical Cancer

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.