A pilot study of lay health worker outreach and colorectal cancer screening among Chinese Americans

J Cancer Educ. 2010 Sep;25(3):405-12. doi: 10.1007/s13187-010-0064-3. Epub 2010 Mar 5.

Abstract

The research team recruited eight Chinese American (seven females, one male) lay health workers (LHWs). They received 12 h of training about colorectal cancer (CRC), its screening, and basic health education techniques. Each LHW were asked to recruit ten participants and conduct two educational sessions. Of the 81 participants recruited, 73 had not received colorectal cancer screening. Their mean age was 63.0 years, and 72.6% were women. Knowledge of colorectal cancer, its causes, and its screening increased significantly. Receipt of first colorectal cancer screening test increased from 0.0% at baseline to 55.7% for fecal occult blood tests, 7.1% for sigmoidoscopy, and 7.1% for colonoscopy. LHW outreach is feasible and may be effective in promoting CRC screening among Chinese Americans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asian
  • Colonoscopy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Community Health Planning / methods
  • Community Health Planning / organization & administration
  • Community Health Workers / organization & administration*
  • Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Education / organization & administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occult Blood
  • Pilot Projects
  • Sigmoidoscopy
  • United States
  • Vietnam / ethnology