A cancer-prevention intervention for disadvantaged women: design and implementation

A cancer-prevention mini-course was designed to increase knowledge about breast and cervical cancers as well as to improve attitudes and behaviors regarding preventive health care among minority and medically underserved women. The culturally-sensitive two-hour psycho-educational intervention was developed as an interactive curriculum in English- and Spanish-language versions for home health care attendants. After development and piloting, the course was offered as part of the weekly 40-hour training program for home attendants in Bronx, New York. After six months it was offered as in-service training for home attendants employed by a licensed home attendant-training agency. The home attendants who participated in the mini-course were primarily Hispanic (62%) and black (31%). Results of evaluation indicate that the mini-course has been remarkably successful in achieving its goals. Primary measures of its success include: 1) integration of the mini-course into the settings in which it is being offered; 2) student participation, absorption of material, and enthusiasm for the course. The mini-course has been successfully incorporated into the training agencies, with strong staff commitment to the program. Participants evince high levels of enthusiasm for the class, reporting that they have learned new information and have especially enjoyed the interactive nature of the class. Though the development of this cancer-prevention mini-course (and its materials) as well as integrating it into appropriate settings required a substantial investment of time and resources, now that it is developed, the intervention proves to be efficient and effective, and is meeting a large need.