title: Cervical cancer beliefs and pap test screening practices among Chinese American immigrants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine beliefs and Pap test utilization among Chinese American women, the largest Asian female population in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional descriptive, correlational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Metropolitan areas of Portland, OR.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 foreign-born Chinese women aged 40 years and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three questionnaires were modified, translated, combined, and pretested. Participants completed the self-administered questionnaire in a group setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilization of Pap test screening, health beliefs, and cultural and sociodemographic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight percent reported having a Pap test within the prior three years (adherence), and 84% reported ever having a Pap test. The odds of Pap test use and adherence decreased with increasing age. Women with insurance or a regular healthcare provider had better odds of Pap test use and adherence. Older age, older age when a participant moved to the United States, and increased modesty were negatively associated with ever having had a Pap test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age and cultural beliefs influence Pap test use and adherence. The strength of provider recommendation and healthcare access as predictors suggest areas for interventions designed to increase screening for cervical cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses play a vital role in preventive health care, especially with the growing number of advanced practice nurses delivering primary care. Primary healthcare providers should be reminded of their influential role in increasing adherence to cancer screening. Further health policy action is necessary to extend screening coverage to those who do not have adequate health insurance.
authors.affiliation: The School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA. leelinf@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lee-Lin
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pett
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nail
authors.forename: Kathi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Itano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*