ASPO Abstracts
Online survey and focus group addressing cancer health disparity in Arkansas
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2019
Abstract Body:
PURPOSEAn online survey and focus groups were conducted at the only academic medical center inArkansas to facilitate designing of future programs to address cancer disparitiesMETHODSAll UAMS employees and students ≥ 18 years were requested to take the online survey.Questions were routed only to age- and gender-eligible people to assess awareness of cancer disparitiesin Arkansas, knowledge and compliance with cancer prevention and early detection measures, andwillingness to volunteer to reduce disparities. Questions regarding strategies that could reduce cancer disparitieswere asked in both, the online survey and the focus groupRESULTSOnline survey responders consisted of 1,318 employees and 243 students. Focus groupparticipants included 30 employees and 5 students. Although 559 survey responders expressed willingness toparticipate in focus groups, the actual participation rate was low (6.3%, 35/559). Self-reported adherence toPapanicolaou (Pap) test (82.6%), mammography (75.8%), and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (76.7%) was highin this well-insured population. Mammography uptake was inversely associated with history of cancer(p=0.007) and living with family (p=0.05). People with education beyond bachelors and annual salary >$40,000were more likely to be compliant with Pap smear uptake (p=0.001 and 0.007 respectively). Current tobacco usersand those with cancer history in family were less likely to have Pap smear uptake (p=0.02 and 0.04respectively). Positive cancer history and having a good knowledge of cancer screening was associated withincreased CRC screening uptake (p=0.04 and 0.02 respectively). Common suggestions for addressing cancerhealth disparities included (1) promoting education to increase awareness, (2) using socialmedia, (3) improving access, and (4) reducing costsCONCLUSIONSAdherence to recommended cancer screening measures, and willingness to participate infocus groups and cancer prevention program were high. However, the actual participation in focus groups wasconsiderably low (6.3%). As suggested by a successful program, it takes a village to reduce cancer healthdisparities (Grubbs et al. 2013). Interventions targeting cancer disparities are needed that would also encourageparticipation of the community members
Keywords: Cancer healthdisparity; cancer prevention;early detection.