1. Education improves colorectal cancer screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy in an inner city population.
- Author
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Zubarik R, Eisen G, Zubarik J, Teal C, Benjamin S, Glaser M, and Jack M
- Subjects
- Age Factors, Black People, Cohort Studies, District of Columbia, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Referral and Consultation, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Uncompensated Care, Black or African American, Colonic Neoplasms prevention & control, Health Education, Mass Screening, Rectal Neoplasms prevention & control, Sigmoidoscopy, Urban Health
- Abstract
Objective: The District of Columbia General Hospital has a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) colorectal cancer screening program. We noted that this program was underused. The aim of this study was to determine whether education could improve use of a flexible sigmoidoscopy screening program in an inner city population., Methods: Patients undergoing screening FS 5 months before our educational initiative were compared to patients undergoing screening FS 5 months after implementation. A 1-month period was allowed for implementation. Procedure logs and GI charts were reviewed., Results: A total of 121 patients underwent FS screening during our study period. Of the patients, 97% were African-American; 58% were female; and the average age was 61 yr. A total of 50 patients underwent FS in the pre-education group, and 71 patients underwent FS after implementation of our educational initiative., Conclusions: Education resulted in a 42% increase in FS screening in this inner city, predominantly African-American population. Larger scale educational initiatives should be conducted to determine whether these benefits can persist and can be improved upon.
- Published
- 2000
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