title: Colonoscopy-specific fears in African Americans and Hispanics.
abstract: Although fears of colonoscopy may deter African Americans and Hispanics from having a screening colonoscopy, little is known about these fears. This study examined the proportion of African Americans and Hispanics who experience colonoscopy-specific fears and identified factors associated with these fears. Data were collected at an academic hospital in New York City between 2008-2010. African Americans (N = 383) and Hispanics (N = 407) who received a recommendation for a screening colonoscopy completed a questionnaire that assessed: colonoscopy-specific fears, demographics, and psychological variables. Presence of colonoscopy-specific fears was endorsed by 79.5% of participants. Being female (p < 0.001), speaking English (p < 0.001), having greater perceived risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) (p < 0.01), greater worry about risk of CRC (p < 0.01), greater fear of CRC (p < 0.001) and lower levels of self-efficacy of having a colonoscopy (p < 0.01) were associated with greater colonoscopy-specific fears. Results can inform interventions designed to assuage fears in African Americans and Hispanics.
authors.affiliation: a Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Iztkowitz
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Redd
authors.forename: Hayley S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Heiddis B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Valdimarsdottir
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jandorf
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000523:psychology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Colorectal cancer prevention; fears; screening colonoscopy