title: A pilot test of a church-based intervention to promote multiple cancer-screening behaviors among Latinas.
abstract: We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and initial impact of a church-based educational program to promote breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening among Latinas ages 18 years and over. We used a one-group pre-/post-evaluation within a low-income, Latino Baptist church in Boston, MA. Participants completed interviewer-administered assessments at baseline and at the end of the 6-month intervention. Under the guidance of a patient navigator (PN), women from the church (peer health advisors, or PHAs) were trained to deliver evidence-based screening interventions, including one-to-one outreach, small group education, client reminders, and reduction of structural barriers to screening. The PN and PHAs also implemented a health fair, and the pastor integrated health information into regular sermons. At pre-intervention, nearly half of the sample did not meet screening guidelines. The majority (97%, n = 35) of those who completed the post-intervention assessment participated in intervention activities. Two thirds (67%) reported talking with the PN or PHAs about health issues. Participation in small group education sessions was highest (72%), with health fairs (61%) and goal setting (50%) also being popular activities. Fourteen percent also reported receiving help from the PN in finding a primary care provider. This study supports the feasibility and acceptability of churches as a setting to promote cancer screening among Latinas.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA, jennifer_allen@dfci.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tom
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leyva
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Idalí Torres
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003150:Community Health Workers; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D062526:Patient Navigation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012067:Religion