title: Developing and testing lay literature about breast cancer screening for African American women.
abstract: Written materials about breast cancer screening for African American women with low literacy skills are needed. Available materials were not at or below third-grade reading levels, were not culturally sensitive, and were not accurate in illustrating correct breast self-examination (BSE) techniques. Focus groups representing the target population helped the authors design a pamphlet describing how to perform BSE and a motivational picture book to help women overcome barriers to screening. The authors chose a food theme for the cover of the pamphlet written at a third-grade level and suggested a photographic version. In the motivational book, two women address barriers to screening and replace myths and fears with facts and actions. Data from 162 women showed that they learned from both the photographic and illustrated versions. Women in the photographic group found significantly more lumps in the silicone models, so the authors chose that version to use in final testing. Finally, nurses pretested a group of patients before they reviewed the materials and post-tested another group after they reviewed them. The group who had reviewed the materials had greater knowledge of and intent to follow the guidelines and received higher scores on BSE techniques.
authors.affiliation: colemanann@uams.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coon
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mohrmann
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hardin
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Regina Shoate
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008091:Literature; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010174:Pamphlets; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment