Cancer risk factors of Vietnamese Americans in rural south Alabama.
OBJECTIVE
To identify aggregate-specific cancer risk factors of Vietnamese Americans in south Alabama and present a comparison with available national data and Healthy People 2010 targets.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 284 Vietnamese community residents 18 years and over completed an investigator-designed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive correlational analysis.


RESULTS
Aggregate-specific cancer risk factors included high prevalence of hepatitis, high smoking and drinking rates in men, extended sun exposure without protection, knowledge deficit of cancer and cancer screenings, and low cancer screening rates. Educational level was significantly related to many cancer risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant cancer risk factors exist in the target population in comparison to available national data and Healthy People 2010 targets. More focused cancer prevention and early detection efforts should be initiated for this underserved population. Future research is needed to (a) determine the effect of acculturation on cancer risk factors and (b) develop culturally appropriate interventions to improve the effectiveness of cancer prevention and early detection interventions in this subgroup of Asian Americans.
Xu
Yu
Y
University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT 06269-2026, USA. yu.xu@uconn.edu
Ross
M Candice
MC
Ryan
Rebecca
R
Wang
Bin
B
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D001213:Asian / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D011322:Primary Prevention; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology