Colorectal cancer educational intervention and screening outcomes
Abstract
Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death of cancers that affect both men and women. Screening for CRC greatly reduces morbidity and mortality because CRC is highly curable when found in early stages. Unfortunately, while 62.9% of qualified adults were screened in 2008, that leaves 22 million people in the U.S. who are not up-to-date with CRC screenings. In Texas, Hispanics and border residents have much lower CRC screening rates. Objectives. Given the need for more research aimed at increasing CRC screening and reducing heath care dipartites, this study investigated the effectiveness of an educational intervention led by promotoras at increasing CRC screening in the border town of El Paso, Texas. There was a specific need for more research regarding the effectiveness of group education in increasing CRC screening, therefore this study aimed to clarify this relationship and add further research supporting screening education. The final aim sought to determine if other factors such as physician letter utilization, demographics, socioeconomics, and usual source of care predicted screening outcomes. Methods. This prospective controlled study examined the effect of an educational intervention on CRC screening outcomes. A culturally tailored, small media education on CRC was delivered by promatoras to participants (group and one-on-one). Participants also received a letter which explained that the participant had received education and may be due for CRC screening, that they were advised to give to their physician. Controls did not receive either intervention. A telephone survey was completed 6 months after the interaction. We compared the uptake of CRC screening among participants who received education (group versus one-on-one). We examined the effect of factors such as letter utilization, sociodemographics, usual source of care, physician influences, and beliefs on CRC screening. Results. There were 26 participants who received the intervention and 4 controls. There were no differences in CRC screening rates between participants from the intervention (education or provider letter) and control participants at the end of the study. Significant predictors of CRC screening were doctor recommendation and doctor order for CRC screening. Results should be cautiously examined as a major limitation of this study was low sample size. Future research should examine how interventions can be modified to improve CRC screening rates among this underserved population.
Subject Area
Public Health Education|Public health|Health education
Recommended Citation
Sharp, Leigha, "Colorectal cancer educational intervention and screening outcomes" (2016). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI10126221.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI10126221