Predictors of fecal occult blood screening among older socioeconomically disadvantaged Americans: a replication study

Socioeconomically disadvantaged elderly are less likely to participate in fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). A quasi-experimental design was used in this operational replication study to determine predictors at baseline of subsequent participation in FOBT. Sixty-five percent of the 211 participants in the replication study participated in FOBT, and 47% of the 171 participants in the original study participated in FOBT. Predictors for FOBT in the replication study were male gender, age of 65-75 years old, ability to go places without assistance, history of having had a digital rectal examination and FOBT. This replication study supports targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations for FOBT as well as females, persons 85 years and older, persons who need assistance in travel, and person who have not had FOBT before. The results show that socioeconomically disadvantaged persons will participate in FOBT when effective educational interventions that include adaptation for aging changes are used.