ASPO Abstracts
Assessing the impact of immigration status, gender and age on the relationship between support networks and cancer screening
Category: Early Detection & Risk Prediction
Conference Year: 2019
Abstract Body:
Objective: Whereas social networks have previously been associated with chronic disease prevention including cancer screening, few studies have examined differences by foreign-birth status, age and gender. Network characteristics may provide insights into strategies to reduce chronic conditions. Therefore, this study examined whether social network characteristics of US- and foreign-born individuals vary and are related to cancer screening among young and older adults.Methods: Data were from the UC Berkeley Social Networks Study, an online and in-person survey of young and older adults (21—30 and 50—70 year olds). The cohort data enabled examination of US-born (n=975) and foreign-born (n=178) individuals’ network structure, social support, and cancer screening (based on screening guidelines for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers). Gender and age group differences in the association of network characteristics and foreign-birth status were examined using ordinary least squares regression. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between cancer screening and social network structure, as well as social support. These associations were tested according to foreign-birth status, gender and age strata, and were controlled for where no interactions were noted.Results: Network characteristics associated with foreign-birth status also varied by gender (proportion of same sex alters, and alters that ego sees monthly) and age group (proportion of alters that ego sees monthly, and number of confidants), p <.05. Network structure and support measures were associated with cancer screening among young and older adults. Moreover, difference by US- and foreign-born individuals, as well as young and older adult age groups were observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest potentially important social network differences by foreign-birth status, gender and age group. Therefore, public health interventions to improving cancer screening uptake, should consider unique impact of network members based of place of birth and life stage.
Keywords: Cancer screening Social networkImmigration status