Enhancing physical well-being and overall quality of life among underserved Latina-American cervical cancer survivors: feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
Evidence for the effectiveness of behavioral interventions are lacking for cervical cancer survivors (CCS). Disparities in survivorship outcomes exist for CCS, especially Latina-Americans. This study assessed the feasibility of implementing a culturally sensitive intervention delivered in a telephonic format.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 23 Latina-Americans diagnosed with stages 1-3 invasive cervical cancer who were 1-3 years post diagnosis and disease free participated. A random assignment, pre- and post-test design was used with 15 intervention and 8 control participants. Intervention group participants completed 6 sessions that included problem-focused, telephone counseling. The areas covered included family and partner concerns and communication; relaxation and stress management; psychological, medical and treatment concerns; and self-nurturing activities. Outcomes were measured by the FACT-G QOL scale.


RESULTS
Increases in physical well-being and overall QOL were observed for the intervention group only (p < 0.05). The intervention group showed a non significant trend towards improvements in family/social, emotional and functional well-being from pre- to post-test.


CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a culturally responsive, telephonic behavioral intervention. The intervention was associated with an improvement in physical and overall quality of life. A randomized controlled trial with a long term follow-up is warranted.


CONCLUSIONS
An ethnically sensitive, behaviorally based telephone counseling approach with Latina Americans cervical cancer survivors can achieve short term improvements in physical well-being and overall QOL.
Ashing-Giwa
Kimlin T
KT
Center of Community Alliance for Research and Education, Division of Population Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, USA. kashing@coh.org
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013689:Telephone; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*