ASPO Abstracts

Comparing trust in sources of cancer health information between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites in the San Diego County

Authors: Vu H, McDaniels-Davidson C, San Miguel Y, Chagolla P, Nodora J, Patel SP, Martinez ME

Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020

Abstract Body:
Purpose Receipt and processing of health information by individuals from different racial/ethnic groups is influenced by the degree of trust they have in the source. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of trust in receiving cancer health information and assess differences in these levels between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) in San Diego County, a large US-Mexico border county. Methods We mailed Spanish and English surveys to a random sample of 4,000 households and an additional 1,000 households in ZIP codes along the US-Mexico border in San Diego County. Surveys included a variety of questions aimed at assessing cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, along with sociodemographic constructs. Among the cancer-related questions were a series of items asking about the level of trust in receiving cancer information from different sources. Results Of the 720 surveys returned, 151 (21%) respondents identified as Hispanics and 446 (61.9%) identified as NHW. Differences in responses between Hispanics and NHWs were assessed using chi-square tests. Significantly more NHW reported trusting their doctors “a lot” (75.7%) compared to Hispanic (62%; p=.001). Hispanics were more likely than NHW to report “a lot” of trust in insurance companies (6.6% vs 1.6%; p=.002) and in pharmaceutical companies (6.5% vs 2.8%; p=.041). Although not significant, a higher proportion of Hispanics responded that they trusted religious organizations and leaders “a lot” (4.4% in Hispanics vs 1.6% in NHW; p=.058). There were no significant differences between Hispanics and NHWs in reporting trust in charitable organizations, family or friends, government agencies, or health organizations. Conclusion Differences in trust were shown between Hispanics and NHWs. These feelings of trust by Hispanics and NHW should be taken into account when communicating health information to these populations. Fostering trust between these populations and their health information sources is critical to reducing health disparities in cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Keywords: ethnicity, trust