Las Golondrinas Van a Su Inido

J Natl Med Assoc. 2011 Aug;103(8):719-28.
Cervical cancer screening among ethnically diverse black women: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
Brown DR, Wilson RM, Boothe MA, HarrisCE.
Source
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health, 65 Bergen St. Rm 742, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. browndi@umdnj.edu
Abstract
This is a descriptive studyof cervical cancer screening knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices among ethnically diverse black women. We conducted 6 focus groups with Haitian, African, English-speaking Caribbean,and African American women recruited from a federally qualified health center. Overall, there was limited knowledge and confusion across ethnic groups about cervical cancer and its risk factors,the Pap test, and the human papilloma virus (HPV) and its association with cervical cancer. At the same time, there were distinct differences between ethnic groups in knowledge, practices, andcultural beliefs about cervical cancer. African women knew the least among all the groups, while African American participants had the greatest knowledge of HPV. However, their knowledge wasstill limited. Patient-doctor relationship was the single most important facilitator for cervical cancer screening. Barriers to cervical cancer screening included cost, busy work schedule, fearof the unknown, lack of insurance or being unemployed, and fear of disclosing immigration status. Interventions with ethnically diverse black women would benefit from recognizing culturalbarriers and misconceptions that vary by ethnic group. Culturally based strategies suggested by the focus groups include the use of existing social networks, the use of indigenous community-basedhealth workers, and the inclusion of women of all ages in cervical cancer education because of the roles they have in extended families.
PMID:
 
22046849
 
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]