Psychosocial determinants of promotores and selected outcomes for a cancer education intervention implemented in south Texas colonias

Julie Parrish St. John, The University of Texas School of Public Health

Abstract

Hispanics have a disproportionate burden of poorer cancer outcomes. promotores (community health workers) have been shown to be effective in delivering interventions to this population. However, little is known about what aspects of the promotores influence the delivery of a cancer education intervention as well what interactions between promotores and the population influence the priority population's subsequent intentions to change health behaviors. Thus, this study had two main aims: 1) examine which psychosocial determinants of promotores influence the number of Hispanic residents reached by promotores in educational interventions; and 2) examine the effects of promotores' psychosocial determinants and their relationships with Hispanic colonia residents on residents' intentions to change health behaviors after receiving a cancer education intervention delivered by promotores. Study participants included promotores and adult Hispanic colonia residents living in unincorporated sub-divisions lacking basic infrastructure and services in four south Texas border counties who participated in a cancer education intervention. Promotores attended an eight-hour training on cancer prevention, treatment, and healthy survivorship for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. promotores then delivered 1.5-hour cancer education interventions to residents. Analysis was conducted with STATA 12.0, using regression models and multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models to assess associations between dependent and independent variables. For aim one, promotores ' age and years of experience influenced their delivery of a cervical cancer education intervention to Hispanic colonia residents. For aim two, promotores' psychosocial determinants were not significant in predicting the residents' behavioral intentions; however, the number of formal trainings received from promotores by Hispanic residents', their satisfaction with the promotora-delivered training, and their trust in the promotores' messages were significant in predicting the residents' behavioral intentions. These are the first examinations of potential relationships between psychosocial determinants of promotores and selected outcomes in a cancer education intervention delivered to Hispanic colonia residents. Findings suggest numerous areas for exploration in future studies.

Subject Area

Adult education|Public health|Health education

Recommended Citation

St. John, Julie Parrish, "Psychosocial determinants of promotores and selected outcomes for a cancer education intervention implemented in south Texas colonias" (2013). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI3604558.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI3604558

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