title: Print Material in Cancer Prevention: an Evaluation of Three Booklets Designed with and for Alaska's Community Health Workers.
abstract: With increased internet access in rural Alaska and subsequent shifts in access to health information, we sought to understand the current role of printed cancer education booklets focused on recommended cancer screening exams. This evaluation reviewed three cancer education booklets specifically created with and for Alaska's Community Health Workers (CHWs) and the people in their communities. The booklets were created in an adaptation of empowerment theory, focused on working within a community-based participatory framework, in a culturally respectful manner, to shift cancer prevention norms by empowering CHWs to catalyze health behavior change for both themselves and their communities. The booklets incorporated traditional Alaska Native values and were designed to connect with readers at an affective and informational place that emphasized relationships. Since 2010, over 20,000 booklets have been distributed. Between January 2013 and March 2014, CHWs from throughout Alaska were invited to complete a three-page anonymous written evaluation of the booklets during community health trainings in Anchorage, Alaska. A total of 102 CHWs completed evaluations, with the vast majority indicating that they liked (100 %), and learned (96 %) from, the booklets. The evaluation results suggest that printed booklets designed in a culturally responsive manner, which both communicate medically accurate information and reach readers at an affective place to inspire action through raising awareness in relationship with others, are a helpful way to receive, discuss, and disseminate cancer screening information among Alaska Native people.
authors: Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska, 3211 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
authors: Katie
authors: K
authors: Cueva
authors: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4000 Ambassador Dr., Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA. mcueva@anthc.org.
authors: Melany
authors: M
authors: Cueva
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, UK College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street Room CC444, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Dignan
authors: Southcentral Foundation, 4201 Tudor Centre Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Landis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010174:Pamphlets; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult cancer education; Alaska Native; Cancer education booklets; Cancer education materials; Cancer education survey; Cancer prevention; Community cancer education; Community health workers; Empowerment theory; Print materials