Storytelling for promoting colorectal cancer prevention and early detection among Latinos.
OBJECTIVE
Health promotion efforts directed at Latinos may be more effective when culturally adapted methods are used. Our study was designed to test a novel communication modality for promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and screening messages among Latinos.


METHODS
We compared a culturally aligned, brief storytelling educational intervention (ST) to a numeric risk tool intervention (NR) based on the Harvard Cancer Risk Index. Both interventions included risk factor information and recommendations for primary prevention and screening for CRC. Sixty-four Latinos (mean age 46.8, 86% female) were randomized and completed pre- and post-tests.


RESULTS
Participants in ST indicated intent to add significantly more servings of vegetables (p=.030) and more minutes of exercise (p=.018) to daily routines than those in NR. Most respondents (ST and NR) reported intentions to recommend CRC screening to friends and relatives.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide support for storytelling's potential to promote health behavior change with cultural relevance for Latinos.


CONCLUSIONS
Storytelling shows promise as an effective method for reaching one of the historically underserved ethnic groups with cancer prevention and screening information.
Larkey
Linda K
LK
University of Arizona, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, USA. larkeylite@msn.com
Gonzalez
Julie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D015444:Exercise; D005239:Fear; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011322:Primary Prevention; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment