title: Afghan immigrant women's knowledge and behaviors around breast cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This community-based participatory research was conducted to provide a preliminary understanding of how Afghan women in Northern California view their breast health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results were based on demographics and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 53 non-English-speaking first-generation immigrant Muslim Afghan women 40 years and older.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed low levels of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and low utilization of early-detection examinations for breast cancer among participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings also suggest a significant need for a community-based breast health education program that recognizes the unique social, cultural, and religious dynamics of the Muslim Afghan community.
authors.affiliation: Women Studies, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. mehra.shirazi@oregonstate.edu
authors.forename: Mehra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.forename: Rona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Popal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007514:Islam; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors