Irma Corral, BA¹, Elizabeth A. Klonoff, PhD², and Hope Landrine, PhD². (1) Behavioral Health Institute, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92120, 619-594-3846, icorral@projects.sdsu.edu, (2) Behavioral Health Institute, San Diego State University Foundation, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92120

Although routine Papanicolaou smear screening has decreased cervical cancer deaths in the United States by 74%, this reduction has not been equal among all ethnic groups. Specifically, African-American, Latina, and some Asian women have higher rates of cervical cancer and often present with later stage disease when compared to Anglo women. Most explanations of these results center around health belief differences among ethnic groups. However, another serious concern stems from methodological issues inherent in assessing ethnic group differences. Although large, multicultural samples improve generalizability, the extent to which measured variables and the relationships among variables are identical and hold for each of the ethnic groups has yet to be determined. Using data from the California Health Interview Study, this study assesses differences in responding to Papanicolau test screening behavior and compliance items among ethnic groups for the 31,003 women in the sample. Using General Latent Variable Methodology, a model was constructed that included SES control variables and cervical cancer screening variables to assess structural invariance across groups. Thus, the degree to which relationships among these variables were the same across ethnic groups was ascertained. Results are discussed in terms of the future implications for cervical cancer screening and interventions among minority women.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the assessment issues that may affect data collection from large multiethnic sample.
• Articulate that ethnic differences found in some health studies may be due to the data collection methodology.
• Identify statistical methods of validating the cultural validity and cultural relevance of large health surveys.
• Discuss the appropriateness of large health surveys in accurately measuring constructs across ethnic groups.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Underserved Populations

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.