BACKGROUND: A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a community-based intervention on mammography use among low-income women living in public housing. METHODS:All 41 public housing high-rise buildings were randomized to treatment and delayed treatment (control) conditions. After a cross-sectional baseline survey, an intervention called Friend to Friend was conducted in the treatment buildings by American Cancer Society and building resident volunteers. The intervention consisted of a health professional talk, small group discussions, and an opportunity to request assistance in obtaining a mammogram or mammogram reminder. A second cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure differences in screening rates between the study groups. RESULTS: Participation in the intervention averaged 27%. The study groups were equivalent at baseline. At follow-up, the proportion of women age 50-79 years who reported mammography screening in the previous 15 months was significantly higher in the treatment group (64%) than in the control group (52%). Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a multidimensional intervention which reaches women within their social environment and uses community volunteers can increase mammography utilization among women in public housing.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a community-based intervention on mammography use among low-income women living in public housing. METHODS: All 41 public housing high-rise buildings were randomized to treatment and delayed treatment (control) conditions. After a cross-sectional baseline survey, an intervention called Friend to Friend was conducted in the treatment buildings by American Cancer Society and building resident volunteers. The intervention consisted of a health professional talk, small group discussions, and an opportunity to request assistance in obtaining a mammogram or mammogram reminder. A second cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure differences in screening rates between the study groups. RESULTS: Participation in the intervention averaged 27%. The study groups were equivalent at baseline. At follow-up, the proportion of women age 50-79 years who reported mammography screening in the previous 15 months was significantly higher in the treatment group (64%) than in the control group (52%). Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a multidimensional intervention which reaches women within their social environment and uses community volunteers can increase mammography utilization among women in public housing.
Authors: Jo Anne Earp; Eugenia Eng; Michael S O'Malley; Mary Altpeter; Garth Rauscher; Linda Mayne; Holly F Mathews; Kathy S Lynch; Bahjat Qaqish Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jeremiah Mock; Stephen J McPhee; Thoa Nguyen; Ching Wong; Hiep Doan; Ky Q Lai; Kim H Nguyen; Tung T Nguyen; Ngoc Bui-Tong Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-02-28 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Eleni C Digenis-Bury; Daniel R Brooks; Leslie Chen; Mary Ostrem; C Robert Horsburgh Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-11-29 Impact factor: 9.308