ASPO Abstracts
Receipt of Health Information among Cancer Survivors
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2019
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with receiving instructions from health care providers among cancer survivors in the United States. Methods: The 2016 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System included a module for adult cancer survivors (n=7,627). Two outcomes for receipt of health information were assessed — general instructions and written/printed instructions. A survey-weighted logistic regression model assessed factors associated with receipt of instructions in SAS 9.4. Results: Among cancer survivors, 69% reported receiving instructions on treatment from a healthcare provider. Among those, 76% received instructions in written or printed form. Older adults were less likely to receive instructions(aPR=0.64,95% CI:0.49-0.80). Lower educational attainment was also associated with lower likelihood of receiving any instructions (aPR=0.88,95% CI:0.77-0.97). Respondents with income levels <$25,000 were less likely to receive any instructions compared to persons earning >=$50,000 (aPR=0.90,95% CI:0.83-0.98). Age of diagnosis was also significant, with younger patients being less likely to receive instructions (aPR=0.87,95% CI:0.77-0.97). Skin cancer survivors were also less likely to receive instructions compared to colon cancer survivors (aPR=0.86,95% CI:0.72-0.98). Conclusions. This study highlights demographic and health-related disparities depending on patient’s age, educational attainment, income, age of diagnosis, and cancer type. These factors may be more influential than race and ethnicity in understanding disparities in access to health information. Considering them in health education efforts is an important step towards achieving health equity among cancer survivors.
Keywords: communication, health information, disparities