“Let's talk between women”: A culturally tailored intervention to increase mammography use for Korean American women

• Main Author: Kim, Younghae
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2001
• Subjects: Asian Americans; Breast cancer; Ethnic studies; Intervention; Mammography; Nursing; Sociology
• ISBN: 049335641X; 9780493356419

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among Korean American (KA) women in the U.S. Study shows that screening rates for KA women are only one quarter of the rates of other California women. Although there is a clear need for developing effective breast cancer screening program for KA women, very little effort has focused on this population. The purposes of the study were to evaluate the “Let's Talk Between Women” program, a culturally tailored breast cancer screening program to improve mammography screening rates, breast cancer related knowledge and attitudes, readiness to screen and to understand factors related to mammography use among KA women. The “Let's Talk Between Women” program included two modules of intervention: a peer group educational program facilitated by breast cancer survivors and health care provider, and access to free or low cost mobile mammography service on sites of the participants' churches. A quasi-experimental pre-posttest design with three study groups was used. KA women ages of 40–70 were recruited from randomly selected KA churches in Los Angeles County. The conceptual framework for the study was derived from two existing models: the Precede-Proceed model and the Transtheoretical model. The study was based on the participatory action research method to collaboratively work with the target community. Women's Advisory Committees were formed to serve as an advisory body throughout all phases of the study. The “Let's Talk Between Women” program was well accepted by the target community and had significant impacts on changes in knowledge, attitudes, readiness to screen, and more importantly screening behavior. The efficacy of a peer group educational program, in addition to free or low cost mobile mammography service, were compared to those of providing access to mammography alone. The addition of a peer group education did not significantly improve mammography screening rate beyond access to low cost or free mobile mammography service alone. Even though a peer group education improved knowledge and attitude, these did not directly influence their screening behavior. This study is in an early effort to improve mammography screening rates targeting KA women. Further studies should be followed.