Paper
Friday, July 23, 2004
Colorectal Cancer Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors in African-Americans
Pauline M. Green, RN, PhD, Ungraduate Program, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA and Beatrice V. Adderley-Kelly, RN, PhD, Division of Nursing, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: Describe colorectal cancer knowledge and perceptions about CRC threat as barriers to screening and screening behaviors of African-American men and women age 50 and over |
| Learning Objective #2: Identify factors influencing African-Americans perceptions about CRC threat and screening in those age 50 and over |
Objectives: To (1)determine Colorectal cancer (CRC)knowlege, perceptions about CRC threat, barriers to screenng, and screening behaviors of African Americans 50 years and above; (2) determine factors influencing African Americans perceptions about CRC threat and screening;(3) determine the difference in CRC knowledge, perceptions about CRC threat, barriers to screening and screening behaviors between men and women in this population. Design: Descriptive Survey. Sample: A convenience sample of 100 African American men and women age 50 and above. Variables: Colorectal Cancer knowledge, perceptions about CRC threat, benefits, barriers, CRC screening behaviors. Methods: The Colorectal Cancer Knowledge, Perceptions and Screening Survey was used for data collection. The instrument was a three-part survey adapted from scales in the literature. Part one consisted of demographic, sociopsychological, and structural information. Part two consisted of three sections: the CRC Knowledge Test, which consisted of 16 true/false items; the CRC Perception Scale, which consisted of 35 items; and the CRC Screening Behavior Report, which consisted of six items. The reliabilty of the entire instrument was alpha = .84. Follwing permission to conduct the study from IRB, subjects were recruited to participate. The survey took approximately 30 minutes. Descriptive and inferential statistic were used for data analysis. Findings: Participants demonstrated inadequate CRC knowledge with a signicant difference in mean scores between males and females. Self report of participation in screening was above the national average. A high percentage perceived numerous benefits to CRC screening. Predictor variables found in the Health Belief Model accounted for a significant amount of variance in screening behavior, barriers, and threat. Conclusions: Older African Americans need more information about CRC in order to increase their awareness of CRC and the importance of screening. Implications: There is a need to educate health care professionals about CRC causes, prevention, detection and the importance of screening.
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July 22-24, 2004