American Indian women’s talking circle. A cervical cancer screening and prevention project.
Authors: Hodge FS, Fredericks L., Rodriguez B.
Publication Year: 1996
Last Updated: 2016-01-07
Journal: Cancer
Keywords: Cervix neoplasms, vaginal smears, social support, storytelling, North American Indians, talking circles, focus groups, culturally appropriate, cultural competency, California American Indians, California
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is important to American Indian women due to high mortality and low survival rates compared with other ethnic groups. This article describes the development and implementation of a culturally acceptable cervical cancer screening program in urban and rural American Indian health clinics in California. METHODS: A team of researchers used social learning theory, research data, and focus groups to design a cervical cancer screening program. The major component of the program was the adaptation of a culturally acceptable mode of communication called Talking Circles. The American Indian Talking Circle project used the Talking Circle format, coupled with traditional Indian stories, as a vehicle to provide cancer education and to improve adherence to cancer screening. Eight American Indian clinics were randomly assigned into intervention and control sites (n = 400 women). The intervention was administered to 200 Indian women 18 years and older in four American Indian clinics; four additional American Indian clinics (n = 200 women) served as control sites. RESULTS: Preliminary results from the research show that American Indian women responded favorably to a culturally framed education project. Initial reports indicate that health-related information is accepted and acted on when it is coupled with cultural information that is presented in a sensitive manner. Final evaluation of the project is forthcoming. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing a culturally acceptable intervention has the potential to improve the health status of American Indian Women.
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