Cancer prevention behaviors and socioeconomic status among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in a rural population in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
Socioeconomic status is explored as a predictor of differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in cancer prevention behavior.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, in-person interviews (n = 1795) were conducted in a population-based random sample of adults in 20 communities with a high proportion of Hispanics.


RESULTS
Hispanics were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to ever have had cervical (p < 0.001), breast (p = 0.007), or colorectal cancer (FOBT p = 0.008; sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy p < 0.002) screening. After adjusting for socioeconomic status (education and having health insurance), only differences in cervical cancer remained significant (p = 0.024). After adjusting for socioeconomic status, Hispanics had a significantly higher intake of fruits and vegetables per day (4.84 servings) than non-Hispanic Whites (3.84 servings) (p < 0.001); and fat behavior score was marginally significant after adjustment for socioeconomic status (p = 0.053). Significantly fewer Hispanics were current smokers than non-Hispanic Whites (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is only limited support for the hypothesis that socioeconomic status is a major determinant of some cancer-related behaviors; specifically, socioeconomic status is related to mammography and colorectal screening, but not cervical cancer, dietary behavior, or smoking.
Thompson
Beti
B
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. bthompso@fhcrc.org
Coronado
Gloria D
GD
Solomon
Cam C
CC
McClerran
Dale F
DF
Neuhouser
Marian L
ML
Feng
Ziding
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009780:Occult Blood; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D014861:Washington; D044465:White People