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

Abstract #119052

Yu-Mei Schoenberger, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB #227, 1530 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205 934 6020, yschoenb@bmu.dopm.uab.edu and Connie Kohler, DrPH, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022.

Despite advances in diagnostic tests to detect cervical cancer, women still die from it. Low socioeconomic status, low levels of education, and lack of knowledge of the purpose of the Pap test and cervical cancer risk and risk factors have been established as reasons for not obtaining screening. The Deep South Network for Cancer Control has utilized individuals from the community to develop a Community Health Advisor (CHA) network. This study assessed the effectiveness and feasibility of an innovative, computerized cervical cancer risk assessment when administered by the CHAs to increase intent to participate in cervical cancer screening. The risk assessment provides individualized, tailored feedback back or standard feedback. The study employed a randomized, controlled, pretest-posttest research design. The study population was 120 African American women who reside in Bullock County, Alabama. ANCOVA and logistic regression were used to estimate adjusted group differences between tailored feedback and standard feedback groups. The results indicated that the level of perceived barriers to obtaining a cervical cancer screening decreased in the tailored group compared to the standard group. A statistically significant effect was observed (Mean difference = -1.887, 95% CI(-3.78,0.009)). Post-intervention intention to obtain a cervical cancer screening did not differ significantly between the two groups after accounting for their baseline intentions (Odds Ratio = 1.737, 95% CI (0.46,6.62)). In conclusion, the implementation of a computer-based cervical cancer risk assessment by CHAs was shown to have a positive effect on reducing perceived barriers.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should be able to list reasons why women do not obtain cervical cancer screening and discuss how to decrease a woman’s perceived barriers to obtaining cervical cancer screening.

Keywords: African American, Cervical Cancer

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.