1. The Chinese and Korean American immigrant experience: a mixed-methods examination of facilitators and barriers of colorectal cancer screening
- Author
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Xiaoxiao Lu, Sunmin Lee, Hee Soon Juon, Jun Li, Mary Y Jung, Hwa J Sim, Daisy Le, Cheryl L. Holt, and Diane Ng
- Subjects
Male ,Aging ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Koreans ,Colorectal cancer ,Alternative medicine ,Colonoscopy ,Health Services Accessibility ,0302 clinical medicine ,Sociology ,Cancer screening ,80 and over ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Early Detection of Cancer ,Qualitative Research ,Cancer ,Language ,Aged, 80 and over ,Practice ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Health Knowledge ,Communication Barriers ,Middle Aged ,Colo-Rectal Cancer ,Cultural deprivation ,Public Health and Health Services ,Cognitive Sciences ,Female ,Public Health ,0305 other medical science ,Colorectal Neoplasms ,Needs Assessment ,Cultural Studies ,medicine.medical_specialty ,China ,Emigrants and Immigrants ,mixed-methods study ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) ,Clinical Research ,medicine ,Humans ,neoplasms ,Aged ,Gynecology ,030505 public health ,Chinese ,Korea ,Asian ,business.industry ,Prevention ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,digestive system diseases ,Good Health and Well Being ,Asian Americans ,cancer screening ,Family medicine ,Attitudes ,Cultural Deprivation ,District of Columbia ,business ,Digestive Diseases ,Qualitative research - Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Among Asian Americans, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Despite strong evidence that screening can reduce CRC-related mortality, fewer Chinese and Koreans receive screening as compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks. The objective of this study was to examine facilitators and barriers as well as strategies to promote CRC screening in this population. DESIGN: This study employed a mixed-methods design. We conducted 17 key informant interviews and 12 focus groups in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 120 Chinese and Korean focus group participants, aged 50 to 85, also provided quantitative data through self-administered surveys. All participants were asked to discuss facilitators and barriers of CRC screening, including in relation to culture. RESULTS: Participants who had a regular physician and doctor’s recommendation for CRC screening were more likely to ever receive a colonoscopy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)= 3.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 9.79 and aOR=6.61; 95% CI: 2.63, 16.65, respectively). A doctor’s recommendation was also significantly associated with receipt of a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (aOR=4.00; 95% CI: 1.43, 11.15). In terms of barriers, those who reported having no time and not having symptoms were less likely to have a colonoscopy (aOR=0.15; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.82 and aOR= 0.02; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.23, respectively) than those who had time and symptoms. Preventive healthcare was often not viewed as a priority, particularly for those living the “immigrant life,” who gave precedence to work. Cultural barriers to CRC screening included language (e.g., limited English proficiency and low health literacy); fear of finding CRC and burdening the family especially children; fatalism; and stigma towards cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions and programs aiming to increase CRC screening among Chinese and Korean Americans should address both cultural and non-cultural factors that influence CRC screening uptake.
- Published
- 2017