title: Exploring potential use of internet, E-mail, and instant text messaging to promote breast health and mammogram use among immigrant Hispanic women in Los Angeles County.
abstract: Breast cancer is now the leading cause of death in Hispanic women (HW). Internet, e-mail, and instant text messaging may be cost-effective in educating HW about breast health and in reducing breast cancer mortality. We surveyed 905 HW women attending a free health fair about their technology use, acculturation, insurance status, mammography use, and breast cancer knowledge. Data were analyzed by t test or χ(2) tests. Mean age was 51.9 ± 14.2 years (range, 18 to 88 years). Ninety-two per cent were foreign-born. Most had completed some high school (39%) or elementary (38%) education. Most (62%) were uninsured. The majority spoke (67%) and read (66%) only Spanish. Only 60 per cent of HW older than 40 years had a recent mammogram. HW older than 40 years who had not had a recent mammogram were younger (mean 54.9 ± 10.8 vs 58 ± 10.4 years) and less likely to have health insurance (25 vs 44%; P < 0.001). Most HW never use the Internet (58%) or e-mail (64%). However, 70 per cent have mobile phones (66% older than 40 years), and 65 per cent use text messaging daily (58% older than 40 years, P = 0.001). In fact, 45 per cent wish to receive a mammogram reminder by text. Text messaging may be an inexpensive way to promote breast health and screening mammography use among uninsured HW.
authors.affiliation: Saul & Joyce Brandman Breast Center, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bresee
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006277:Health Fairs; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015141:Los Angeles; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult