Factors associated with breast and cervical cancer screening behavior among African immigrant women in Minnesota

J Immigr Minor Health. 2014 Jun;16(3):450-6. doi: 10.1007/s10903-012-9766-4.

Abstract

Immigrant populations in the United States (US) have lower cancer screening rates compared to none immigrant populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the rates of cancer screening and examine factors associated with cancer screening behavior among African immigrant women in Minnesota. A cross sectional survey of a community based sample was conducted among African immigrants in the Twin Cities. Cancer screening outcome measures were mammography and Papanicolau smear test. The revised theoretical model of health care access and utilization and the behavioral model for vulnerable populations were utilized to assess factors associated with cancer screening. Only 61 and 52% of the age eligible women in the sample had ever been screened for breast and cervical cancer respectively. Among these women, duration of residence in the US and ethnicity were significant determinants associated with non-screening. Programs to enhance screening rates among this population must begin to address barriers identified by the community.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Logistic Models
  • Mammography / methods
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data
  • Mass Screening / organization & administration*
  • Middle Aged
  • Minnesota
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Papanicolaou Test / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / ethnology