Monday-Enhanced CEASE Program for Underserved Ethnic Minorities: a Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the persistence of tobacco-related health disparities in the U.S., there is a need for innovative strategies to reach the underserved ethnic minority populations who are most at risk. As contemplations for health behavior modification tend to surge on Mondays, we explored the feasibility and effect of a Monday-enhanced smoking cessation program on quitting outcomes in a low-income ethnic minority community. AIMS: To compare a Monday-enhanced with a standard Communities Engaged and Advocating for a Smoke-free Environment (CEASE) program and understand the overall experiences of participants in the program. METHODS: In this mixed-methods study, affordable housing complexes (n = 4) and a church were randomly assigned either a Monday-enhanced (n = 3) or standard (n = 2) CEASE smoking cessation program. CEASE comprised twelve weekly group counseling sessions facilitated by trained peer motivators plus nicotine replacement products. Participants in the Monday-enhanced arm were encouraged to pick Mondays as a quitting day. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected during the program and at 3-month post-graduation. RESULTS: Seventy-seven participants were enrolled in the study arms. In both groups combined, tobacco consumption reduced from 7.7 to 5.6 cig/day (mean reduction, 2.1; 95% CI: 0.9 to 5.1, p = 0.08). Although no significant difference in quit rate was observed between the two arms, more participants completed the follow-up survey in the Monday-enhanced than standard CEASE program [82.4% vs. 36.0%, p < 0.05]. While qualitative data suggested an overall satisfaction of participants with the program, motivation for quitting was higher in the Monday-enhanced CEASE program compared to the standard CEASE program. CONCLUSION: The Monday-enhanced program is promising and may enhance participants' engagement and willingness to quit smoking, particularly in low-income ethnic minority communities. Further research should include larger sample sizes to better assess the efficacy of a Monday-enhanced program across diverse populations.

Latinas' attitudes about cervical cancer prevention: a meta-synthesis.

Latina women are almost twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as Caucasian women. In response to this disparity, qualitative study has been devoted to this topic. In order to generalize knowledge, insights gleaned through qualitative research methodology may be integrated through meta-synthesis, a methodology that has developed in nursing and related health sciences. The primary purpose of this meta-synthesis was to obtain information about Latinas' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding cervical cancer and its screening. After applying inclusion criteria, nine studies were located. Results were organized around four areas of inquiry that cross-cut primary studies: 1) Latina participants' knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention; 2) barriers for regular cervical cancer screening; 3) facilitators that encouraged such screening; and 4) recommendations on how to provide screening for Latina women. Findings indicated that culturally appropriate education and improving accessibility to health care were the most important overall themes for future efforts to improve screening rates among Latinas in the United States.

Cervical cancer screening interventions for U.S. Latinas: a systematic review.

The high cervical cancer mortality rate among Latinas compared with other ethnic groups in the United States is of major concern. Latina women are almost twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as non-Hispanic white women. To improve Latina cervical cancer screening rates, interventions have been developed and tested. This systematic review was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of such studies. Studies involving both experimental and quasi-experimental designs were located (N = 6), and odds ratios were calculated for screening behavior. The pooled effect of these programs was negligible, and implications are derived from this finding.

Interventions to increase mammography rates among U.S. Latinas: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, health disparities exist in mammography rates for Latinas compared with other ethnic groups. Additionally, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Latina women. Increased mammography rates and earlier breast cancer diagnosis can decrease breast cancer fatality rates among Latina women. METHODS: The purpose of this systematic review was to contribute to the knowledge basis on breast cancer prevention for U.S. Latinas by determining the effectiveness of interventions designed to increase mammography rates among this population. Both experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included in the systematic review, and nine were located that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Odds ratios were calculated, and the overall effect indicated a low level of effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of findings for practice and research are discussed.