title: The contribution of culture to Korean American women's cervical cancer screening behavior: the critical role of prevention orientation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the proven benefits of Pap testing, Korean American women have one of the lowest cervical cancer screening rates in the United States. This study examined how cultural factors are associated with Pap test utilization among Korean American women participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quota sampling was used to recruit 202 Korean American women participants residing in New York City. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the association of cultural variables with Pap test receipt.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, participants in our study reported significantly lower Pap test utilization; only 58% reported lifetime receipt of this screening test. Logistic regression analysis revealed one of the cultural variables--prevention orientation--was the strongest correlate of recent Pap test use. Older age and married status were also found to be significant predictors of Pap test use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest cultural factors should be considered in interventions promoting cervical cancer screening among Korean American women. Furthermore, younger Korean American women and those not living with a spouse/partner should be targeted in cervical cancer screening efforts.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 105 Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. hylee@umn.edu
authors.forename: Hee Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Soonhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vang
authors.forename: Seok Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult