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Engaging diverse underserved communities to bridge the mammography divide
Kimberly K Engelman1, Ana Paula Cupertino, Christine M Daley
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. kengelma@kumc.edu
BMC Public Health
|January 25, 2011
Summary
This study tested an "implementation intentions" program to increase breast cancer screening among American Indian/Alaska Native and Latina women. The program guided women to plan when, where, and how to get screened, aiming to improve mammography rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Breast cancer screening is underutilized by minority populations, including American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Latina women, who face the highest mortality rates.
- Existing screening rates for AI/AN and Latina women are among the lowest, despite intentions to get screened.
- Implementation intentions, which specify when, where, and how a behavior will be performed, are effective in bridging the gap between intention and action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored "implementation intentions" program in promoting breast cancer screening among rural AI/AN and Latina women.
- To address barriers and enhance self-efficacy for mammography screening in underserved minority populations.
Main Methods:
- Community health workers (CHWs) delivered a computerized, culturally tailored "implementation intentions" program (Healthy Living Kansas-Breast Health) to rural AI/AN and Latina women.
- Participants were randomized to either a mammography "implementation intentions" (MI2) intervention or a general breast cancer prevention informational intervention (C).
- Outcomes, including mammography utilization, barriers, and readiness to screen, were assessed at 120 days post-randomization.
Main Results:
- The study aimed to guide participants toward accessing screening services by operationalizing intentions and addressing barriers.
- Mammography utilization status, barriers, and movement along a behavioral stages of readiness to screen model were key outcome measures.
Conclusions:
- This project tested the application of behavioral theory, specifically implementation intentions, to improve breast cancer screening among rural minority women.
- The innovative program was guided by AI/AN and Latina community members, ensuring cultural relevance and community engagement.
