Interaction between Latino specific belief and structural factors in Latina's breast cancer

Fox, Haley; Hanley, Laura

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77723 Copy

Description

Title

Interaction between Latino specific belief and structural factors in Latina's breast cancer

Author(s)

• Fox, Haley
• Hanley, Laura

Contributor(s)

Bekteshi, Venera

Issue Date

2015-05

Keyword(s)

• Social Work
• Latina
• Cancer
• Mammography

Abstract

Purpose. Latinas’ engagement in cancer prevention is similar to other subpopulations, nonetheless, Latinas carry a disproportionate burden of breast-cancer deaths. The effect of structural factors, i.e. health insurance, and Latino specific beliefs, i.e. fatalismo – events are predetermined by external forces; familismo - the strong ties among family members, and marianismo,self-sacrifice for the family’s wellbeing, in Latina’s engagement in cancer prevention has been demonstrated. We researched interactive effect between Latino-specific beliefs and structural characteristics. Methodology. We completed 70 closed-ended surveys, door to door, among Mexican women in Onarga and Capron - Illinois. We translated and back-translated questions, conducted cognitive testing and pilot tested them prior to administering them to our sample. We underwent an intensive training covering ethical issues. In the field, we wore green t-shirts featuring our study Logo – Lucha -fight breast cancer. The green represented Mexican soccer players’ suit chosen to facilitate rapport building -soccer is an important sport for this community. Results. Most Mexican-born women lived below poverty line (95%), had no health insurance (70%), completed less than high school (80%) and were older (M=55; SD=1.2). Sixty percent did not complete mammograms in the last two years. Bivariate analyses showed that compared to their counterparts, majority did not complete mammograms (70%) had no health insurance, scored higher in Marianismo and fatalismo, but lower in familismo scales. Implications. Effective health disparity reduction campaigns should combine free health insurance provision among Latinas with awareness enhancing initiatives that explain the importance of mammograms in breast-cancer free, long and healthy lives.

Type of Resource

image

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/77723

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Copyright 2015 is held by the authors.

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