1
|
Thomas-Purcell KB, Patterson S, McIntosh AN, Richards C, Primus-Joseph M, Purcell DJ, Ashing K. Woman-to-woman: Feasibility of a lay health advisor program for cervical cancer education in Grenada, W.I. PEC INNOVATION 2022; 1:100073. [PMID: 37213742 PMCID: PMC10194396 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Woman- to-Woman, a lay health advisor (LHA)-led educational intervention on cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge in a cohort of at-risk Grenadian women. Methods LHAs from high-risk parishes were trained in the administration of the intervention and administered the program to 78 local women. Participants completed a pre- and post-knowledge test and a session evaluation. LHAs participated in a process evaluation focus group. Results Sixty-eight percent (68%) of participants obtained higher knowledge scores following the educational intervention. The difference between the pre- and post-test scores was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Almost 94% agreed that they were taught new and useful information by credible, community informed and responsive LHAs. Ninety percent (90%) indicated great satisfaction and high motivation to recommend to others. LHAs reported on the intervention and their community interactions. Conclusions Results demonstrate that a LHA-led educational intervention significantly improved participants' knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV, Papanicolaou test and vaccination against HPV. Innovations: Researchers trancreated an evidenced based intervention originally designed for Latina women for Grenadian women. There is no evidence in the literature of previous LHA- cervical cancer education studies conducted in Grenada nor the Caribbean.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamilah B. Thomas-Purcell
- Department of Health Science, College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Corresponding author at: 3200 South University Drive, Terry Bldg. 1232, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA.
| | - Samantha Patterson
- Canton Medical Education Foundation Aultman /Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospitals, Canton, OH, USA
| | - Andrew N. McIntosh
- Women's and Children's Health Services Unit, Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | - Christine Richards
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
| | | | - Donrie J. Purcell
- Satcher Health Leadership Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kimlin Ashing
- Division of Health Equity, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Auguste A, Cox S, Oliver JS, Phillip D, Gabriel O, St. Catherine J, Radix C, Luce D, Barul C. Cancer Survivors in Saint Lucia Deeply Value Social Support: Considerations for Cancer Control in Under-Resourced Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116531. [PMID: 35682118 PMCID: PMC9180699 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the views of cancer survivors on their experience is important for informing community-based interventions. We studied, for the first time, the views of cancer survivors residing in Saint Lucia on their overall care experience. We used interview data from a cohort of adult cancer survivors from Saint Lucia between 2019 and 2020. We performed a thematic analysis to derive themes from codes. Forty-four survivors provided responses to at least one of the three questions. The majority of survivors were black, female and diagnosed with breast cancer. Survivors were interviewed on average five years after diagnosis. Four common themes emerged; "Availability of support groups", "Importance of support from family and friends", "Access to finances" and "Health education and patient navigation". Travel overseas for health services was common among survivors. Survivors expressed emotional distress during travel due to isolation from family and local providers. This is typical among island populations and is distinct from existing patient frameworks. Survivors also suggested that networking amongst providers and interventions assisted families of cancer survivors. Although tertiary care services are limited, we showed that survivors deeply value and depend on their inter-personal relationships during care. Interventions aimed at strengthening the inter-personal environment of survivors are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aviane Auguste
- Vaughan Arthur Lewis Institute for Research and Innovation (VALIRI), Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Morne Fortune, Castries LC06 101, Saint Lucia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Shania Cox
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, 97100 Pointe-à-Pitre, France; (S.C.); (D.L.); (C.B.)
- Faculté de Médecine, Campus de Fouillole, Université des Antilles, 97157 Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - JoAnn S. Oliver
- Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA;
| | - Dorothy Phillip
- Faces of Cancer Saint Lucia, Tapion Ridge, Castries LC04 201, Saint Lucia;
| | - Owen Gabriel
- Department of Oncology, Owen King European Union Hospital, Millenium Highway, Castries LC04 201, Saint Lucia;
- Caribbean Association for Oncology and Hematology, Belmont, Port of Spain 150123, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - James St. Catherine
- Vaughan Arthur Lewis Institute for Research and Innovation (VALIRI), Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Morne Fortune, Castries LC06 101, Saint Lucia;
| | - Carlene Radix
- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission-Franck Johnson Avenue, Morne Fortune, Castries LC06 101, Saint Lucia;
| | - Danièle Luce
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, 97100 Pointe-à-Pitre, France; (S.C.); (D.L.); (C.B.)
| | - Christine Barul
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, 97100 Pointe-à-Pitre, France; (S.C.); (D.L.); (C.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Richards C, Thomas-Purcell KB, Vemulapalli KC, Primus-Joseph M, McBurnie-James A, Standifer M, Ashing K. Woman to Woman: Implementation of a Cervical Cancer Education Training Program for Grenadian Lay Health Advisors. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2020; 35:557-562. [PMID: 30788676 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-01495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The reduction in cervical cancer (CC) in developed countries, due mainly to Pap testing, has not filtered down to Caribbean countries including Grenada despite accessible screening. This is attributed to a lack of knowledge and low screening. Researchers in low resource settings successfully trained lay health advisors (LHAs), using theory-based, culturally relevant interventions to reverse this trend. The use of LHAs in Grenada was not documented in the literature; therefore, the purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a culturally relevant curriculum in an effort to educate Grenadian LHAs on CC. Using convenience sampling, 8 Grenadian women were recruited from the parishes with the highest rates of CC. They participated in Woman to Woman (W2W), a 2-day CC, and human papilloma virus (HPV) prevention education program facilitated by local content experts. W2W was adapted from an evidence-based curriculum and tailored for the Grenadian context. Training consisted of modules on CC and HPV. Knowledge of LHAs was measured pre- and post-intervention. Summative evaluation was assessed using a focus group discussion. There was a significant increase in CC knowledge among LHA post-training (p < 0.05) and LHAs had positive opinions about the intervention. They had an enhanced sense of self-efficacy and valued feeling part of a team. The W2W results indicated that an evidence-based and culturally tailored educational intervention has the potential for significant gains in CC and HPV knowledge. Future research will evaluate the LHA-led CC and HPV educational intervention in the community setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Richards
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada
| | - K B Thomas-Purcell
- College of Health Care Sciences, Department of Health Science, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
| | - K C Vemulapalli
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada
| | - M Primus-Joseph
- Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Cockburn, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
| | - A McBurnie-James
- Ministry of Health St. George's Grenada General Hospital, St. George's, Grenada
| | - M Standifer
- Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Section, James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - K Ashing
- Center of Community Alliance for Research & Education, Division of Health Equity, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|