title: Knowledge of uterine fibroid symptoms and presentation among African-American women: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess awareness and knowledge of fibroid symptoms and presentation among African-American women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional survey study completed by a convenience sample of African-American women attending a community fair. Questions covered demographics, medical history, technology use, and fibroid knowledge. A total of437 surveys were distributed, 320 were returned, and 199 met eligibility criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' mean age was 48.8 +/- 12.9 years. Of them, 65.8% lacked college degrees and 43.2% had annual household incomes of < $25,000. The prevalence of inadequate health literacy was 14.1%. Most knew that fibroids are more common in African-American women (74.9%), can cause menorrhagia (80.9%), and can increase odds of miscarriage (74.4%). Many thought that fibroids are cancerous (47.2%), increase the risk of heart disease (32.7%), or are diagnosable via blood test (46.2%). Internet usage and education had highest correlations with fibroid awareness. Health literacy status showed no significant correlation with cumulative fibroid knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  African-American women's knowledge of the symptoms of fibroids is intact; however, they are less familiar with the systemic impact of the tumors. Additional research is needed to further assess women's knowledge offibroids and to develop interventions for patient education.
authors.forename: Geraldine E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Ekpo
authors.forename: Marissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ghant
authors.forename: Liana M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Woodley
authors.forename: Hannah S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Recht
authors.forename: Tacoma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McKnight
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Marsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects