title: Predictors of digital rectal examination in U.S. Latinos.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about prostate and colorectal cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices among U.S. Latino men. Even less is known about the population's subgroup variations. This study assessed predictors of having obtained digital rectal examinations (DREs) among four Latino subgroups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Findings in this report are based on a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted between October 1993 and June 1994 as part of a multisite demonstration project for cancer prevention and control. The survey was conducted in eight U.S. cities identified via census data as having relatively high concentrations of targeted Latino subgroups. The analysis included 1499 Latino men aged > or = 40 who self-identified as Central American, Cuban American, Mexican American, or Puerto Rican.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 53% of the sample reported ever having had a DRE and 68% reported ever having heard of the procedure. For all subgroups, the only significant predictor for obtaining a DRE was "ever heard of DRE." "Having your doctor discuss DRE" was a significant factor for Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of a universal DRE cancer-screening model among Latino groups highlights the need to address barriers in the context of the population's diversity. Ecologic approaches and clinician communication with Latinos need to be tailored to accommodate subgroup differences in knowledge, attitude, and practices related to DRE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92123-4311, USA. gtalaver@mail.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Talavera
authors.forename: Amelie G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Lucina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villarreal
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marti
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trapido
authors.forename: Eliseo J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Pérez-Stable
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control