Understanding Hmong Women's Beliefs, Feelings, Norms, and External Conditions About Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening. Issue 5 (5th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lor, Maichou; Khang, Pa Yiar; Xiong, Pa; Moua, Kao Feng; Lauver, Diane
• Is Part Of: Public health nursing. Volume 30:Issue 5(2013:Sep./Oct.)
• Page Start: 420
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2013-04-05
• Subjects: Public health nursing -- Periodicals; 610.734
• DOI: 10.1111/phn.12043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0737-1209

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="phn12043-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="phn12043-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To describe the beliefs, feelings, norms, and external conditions regarding breast and cervical cancer screening in a sample of Hmong women.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12043-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Sample</title> <p>In a descriptive design, female Hmong researchers recruited 16 Hmong women (ages 24–73) at a community center. Guided by the Theory of Care Seeking Behavior (TCSB), researchers asked participants semi‐structured questions about their beliefs, feelings, norms, and external conditions in a group setting. Researchers documented responses in writing and audio recordings. Guided by theory, we used directed content analysis to categorize responses.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12043-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Participants' beliefs' about screening included uncertainty about causes of breast and cervical cancer, uncertainty about Western forms of treatments, and terminal illness as outcomes of such cancer. Many felt embarrassed about breast and cervical cancer screening. Their cultural norms about undressing for an exam and listening to authority figures were different from Western norms. External conditions that influenced participants' for screenings included difficulties in communicating with interpreters and clinicians.</p> </sec> <sec id="phn12043-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Consistent with the TCSB, Hmong women's beliefs, affect, cultural norms and external conditions helped to understand their use of breast and cervical screening. Findings could guide nursing and public health interventions to improve culturally sensitive, cancer screening for Hmong women.</p> </sec> </abstract>