Black cosmetologists promoting health program: pilot study outcomes.
BACKGROUND
African Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of illness and premature mortality.


METHODS
A health education program delivered via cosmetologists was pilot tested as a supplement to other programs seeking to reach this community with information designed to remedy this inequality. Eight cosmetologists were randomized to either an active or a passive educational intervention arm, with the active arm (experimental arm) focused on breast cancer early detection.


RESULTS
Both cosmetologists and clients found this an acceptable intervention. Nearly all women in the study demonstrated that they had heard the mainstream messages about the value of breast cancer early detection, but a considerable proportion appeared not to realize breast cancer's high level of morbidity and mortality within their own community.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest this approach is worthy of further evaluation.
Sadler
G R
GR
Department of Surgery, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego Cancer Center, LaJolla 92093-0658, USA.
Thomas
A G
AG
Gebrekristos
B
B
Dhanjal
S K
SK
Mugo
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001505:Beauty Culture; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012016:Reference Values; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric