Colorectal cancer educational intervention targeting latino patients attending a community health center

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death for Latino men and women; and Latinos are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, which is most likely due to underutilization of CRC preventive screening. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a brief, clinic-based intervention by a community health advisor (CHA) would increase CRC knowledge compared with traditional educational methodologies (eg, use of print materials).

Methods: Latino adults 50 years and older attending a San Diego community health center were recruited while waiting for their primary care provider routine visit and were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 CRC educational interventions: community health advisor (CHA) plus CRC educational brochure (CHA intervention group), CRC educational brochure (minimal intervention group), or 5-a-day nutrition brochure (usual care). CRC knowledge was assessed before and after the primary care provider visit for 130 participants.

Results: Results demonstrate that the CRC educational brochure (minimal intervention group) was effective at increasing CRC screening knowledge as compared to usual care.

Conclusions: Future research is needed to explore innovative health education strategies that improve knowledge and subsequent CRC screening behaviors among low-income, low-literacy, unacculturated Latinos.