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

Abstract #56695

Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH¹, Angelica Herrera, MPH², Francesca Gany, MD³, Karen Carapetyan, MS⁴, and Monica Cebrian, MS⁴. (1) Institute for Urban and Global Health, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, 212-263-3072, trinhc01@popmail.med.nyu.edu, (2) Center for Immigrant Health, 550 First Ave, New York, NY 10016, (3) NYU School of Medicine, Center for Immigrant Health, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, (4) NYU Cancer Institute High Risk Clinic, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Introduction: Early cancer detection through regular screening can prevent or delay progression to invasive cancer. Mexican immigrant women have the lowest rates of cancer screening of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Barriers to screening for Mexican immigrant women include traditional gender roles, legal status, language difficulties, and socioeconomic status. Objectives: We sought to determine how Mexican immigrant men’s own health-seeking behaviors and their attitudes towards, and support for, breast and cervical cancer screening impacted their female partner’s cancer screening behaviors. We examined such factors as traditional gender roles, acculturation, SES, familismo, social support, self-efficacy, and machismo. The potential for the use of a couple-centered cancer screening education program for Mexican immigrant women were explored. Methods: 64 couples of Mexican descent, ages 18 and older, in the NYC-metropolitan were recruited from two community-based organizations to participate in focus groups and survey research. Data from the focus groups were translated, transcribed, and summarized. Descriptive statistics were generated from the surveys. Results: Mexican immigrant women’s healthseeking behaviors were significantly influenced by male partners. Couples were receptive to the idea of using a couple-centered intervention as a way to alter behavior and provided recommendations on appropriate ways to intervene. Conclusion: A couple-centered intervention can be an effective and feasible way to improve knowledge, understanding, and behaviors for cervical and breast cancer prevention in Mexican immigrant communities. Such efforts should be explored and evaluated for communities in which male partners play a significant role in influencing their partners’ health behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
• discuss the role of gender in determining and influencing health behaviors
• apply social science tools in understanding barriers to cancer screening and prevention among immigrant communities
• assess the role of couple-centered interventions for minority and immigrant communities in cancer prevention

Keywords: Immigrants, Cancer Screening

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.