Breast health education and the Muslim American woman: A needs assessment in the greater Philadelphia area


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5135.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 1:24 PM

Abstract #112050

Breast health education and the Muslim American woman: A needs assessment in the greater Philadelphia area

Brooke Layne Hardison, MPH, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, 1700 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122, 301-435-8524, bhardison@gmail.com

Problem:

African-American and other ethnic minority communities experience high breast cancer mortality rates, despite lower incidence rates. Several studies have shown the need for increased breast health education among African Americans and other minority populations in order to improve early cancer detection and treatment. Several health initiatives encourage churches to disseminate breast health information, yet few target Islamic women with tailored, sensitive information about the importance of early breast cancer screening. Philadelphia has a large African-American population, with 60 Black churches and 33 mosques. Philadelphia is home to an estimated 90,000 Muslims, mostly African Americans.

Methods:

A needs assessment survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors surrounding breast health, as well as preferred methods of communication and religious beliefs that may influence health promotion. Results were analyzed using SPSS.

Results:

Among the first 150 respondents, 28% had never discussed breast cancer with a medical professional, and 31% had not had a clinical breast exam in over a year. Findings from this study provide information for health professionals to better understand the Islamic community and its special needs related to women's health education. Data are compared across various demographic variables to create a picture of the health education needs of American Muslim women.

Conclusion:

Providing sensitive breast health education is a critical need among Muslim American communities. The results of this study will help to provide a basis for future research and the development of culturally appropriate breast health education to reach Muslim women in the United States.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

3. Gain a better understanding of American Islamic communities and Muslim women.
8. Describe the structure of mosques and methods of accessing Muslim women
13. Articulate means of tailoring breast health information to the American Islamic community.
18. Develop a sensitivity for the barriers and facilitators to breast screening for Muslim women.

Keywords: Health Communications, Needs Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation

Cultural Awareness in Health Education

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA