Storytelling as a method to teach African American women breast health information.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the use of storytelling as a method to teach breast health information to older African American women.


METHODS
A qualitative design utilizing the focus-group method.


RESULTS
Six story types (categories) emerged from the focus-group data and were integrated into the breast health education class. Categories were: 1) loss, 2) pain, 3) suffering, 4) fear and worry/stress, 5) death, and 6) faith in God and prayer. Three major outcomes resulted from the storytelling format: 1) peer teaching enhanced learning, 2) incorrect information was identified and clarified, and 3) personal experiences were validated.


CONCLUSIONS
Integration of African American women's self-identified issues and concerns with breast health messages through storytelling resulted in a meaningful teaching-learning experience.
Williams-Brown
Shanita
S
National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8316, USA. browsha@mail.nih.gov
Baldwin
Dee M
DM
Bakos
Alexis
A
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014481:United States