Test of an intervention to improve knowledge of women with intellectual disabilities about cervical and breast cancer screening. (24th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swaine, J. G.; Parish, S. L.; Luken, K.; Son, E.; Dickens, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual disability research. Volume 58:Part 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 663
• Publication Date: 2013-06-24
• Subjects: Mental retardation -- Research -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.12062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-2633

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jir12062-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>There is a critical need for evidence‐based health education interventions for women with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to promote receipt of preventive health screenings. Previous research has established <italic>Women Be Healthy</italic>, an 8‐week classroom‐style intervention designed to teach women with IDs about breast and cervical cancer screenings, as a promising practice. However, additional research is needed to determine how to further improve screening‐related knowledge gains. This study aimed to test a modified version of <italic>Women Be Healthy</italic>, <italic>Women Be Healthy 2</italic>, and compare its effectiveness in increasing knowledge gains to the original intervention.</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12062-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Women living in the community across one state in the United States were randomly assigned to a treatment (<italic>n</italic> = 98), delayed treatment, (<italic>n</italic> = 35), or no intervention group (<italic>n</italic> = 65). Women in the treatment group received <italic>Women Be Healthy</italic>, and women in the delayed treatment group received the modified <italic>Women Be Healthy 2.</italic> Baseline and post‐intervention interviews were conducted to measure knowledge of cervical and breast cancer screening. Knowledge scores were compared across groups.</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12062-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Among the nine knowledge items measured, one breast knowledge measure and one cervical knowledge measure showed statistically significant group differences; marginally significant differences were observed for two other knowledge measures. After adjusting for covariates, women who received <italic>Women Be Healthy 2</italic> had increased knowledge overall compared with the women receiving no intervention.</p> </sec> <sec id="jir12062-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p> <italic>Women Be Healthy 2</italic> is promising, but additional efforts appear necessary to increase the knowledge women with IDs have about cervical and breast cancer screening.</p> </sec> </abstract>