The influence of sociocultural factors on colonoscopy and FOBT screening adherence among low-income Hispanics

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2011 Aug;22(3):925-44. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2011.0074.

Abstract

Few studies have examined barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Hispanics, particularly sociocultural factors that may be relevant. This paper examines the influence of sociocultural factors on adherence to fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and colonoscopy. A survey was conducted among a sample of 400 low-income Hispanics in East Harlem, New York. Fatalism and health literacy were both significantly associated with colonoscopy screening adherence in bivariate models, though fatalism became non-significant and health literacy became less significant in multivariable models. With respect to adherence to colonoscopy or FOBT, both fatalism and health literacy were associated in bivariate models, though only fatalism remained significant in multivariable models (p=.03; OR: .94; 95% CI: .881-.992). These findings suggest fatalism and health literacy may play a role in shaping CRC screening adherence among low-income Hispanics. Researchers should continue investigating how sociocultural factors influence screening adherence among Hispanics, using larger and more geographically diverse samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology
  • Colonoscopy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Health Literacy
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City
  • Occult Blood*
  • Patient Compliance / ethnology*
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Poverty*
  • Qualitative Research