Salud es Vida: a Cervical Cancer Screening Intervention for Rural Latina Immigrant Women

John S. Luque, Yelena N. Tarasenko, Claudia Reyes-Garcia, Moya L. Alfonso, Norma Suazo, Laura Rebing, Daron G. Ferris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of Salud es Vida—a promotora-led, Spanish language educational group session on cervical cancer screening (Pap tests)—self-efficacy (belief in ability to schedule and complete a Pap test), and knowledge among immigrant Hispanic/Latina women from farmworker backgrounds. These women are disproportionately burdened with cervical cancer, with mortality rates significantly higher than non-Hispanic whites. The two-arm, quasi-experimental study was conducted in four rural counties of Southeast Georgia in 2014–2015. Hispanic/Latina immigrant women aged 21–65 years and overdue for a Pap test were included as intervention (N = 38) and control (N = 52) group participants. The intervention was developed in partnership with a group of promotoras to create the toolkit of materials which includes a curriculum guide, a brochure, a flipchart, a short animated video, and in-class activities. Twelve (32 %) intervention group participants received the Pap test compared to 10 (19 %) control group participants (p = 0.178). The intervention group scored significantly higher on both cervical cancer knowledge recall and retention than the control group (p < 0.001). While there was no statistically significant difference in cervical cancer screening self-efficacy scores between the group participants, both groups scored higher at follow-up, adjusting for the baseline scores. The group intervention approach was associated with increased cervical cancer knowledge but not uptake of Pap test. More intensive interventions using patient navigation approaches or promotoras who actively follow participants or conducting one-on-one rather than group sessions may be needed to achieve improved screening outcomes with this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)690-699
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Cancer Education
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

Keywords

  • Cancer screening
  • Cervical cancer
  • Hispanics/Latinos
  • Immigrant
  • Promotora

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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