Needs Assessment of Mexican Immigrant Women Living in Chicago
Mexican immigrant women suffer a disproportionate burden of breast and cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Mexican immigrant women that play a role in obtaining Pap smear and mammography screenings. A sample of 41 Mexican immigrant women ages 18-64 was recruited from Little Village, the largest Mexican community in Chicago, IL. Overall, participation in screening exams was high: 95% for Pap smear and 87% for mammography screening. One explanation to the high screening rates among our sample was the recruitment sites (a community center and a church); studies have found social networks are an enabling factor for participation in health promotion services among Latinas. Despite these rates the women's mean acculturation score (1.30) and knowledge about both types of cancer and their respective screenings was very low. Cancer studies need to examine how knowledge is influenced by the community and environment in which women live (cultural norms) encourage Latina women to obtain screenings.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Community Health
Research Advisor:
Lydia Buki
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Psychology
Year of Publication:
2006