Barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer screening among older Korean Americans: A focus group study

A qualitative study was undertaken to explore the barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among older Korean Americans (KAs). Four focus groups with 25 male and female KA participants and one focus group comprising five KA health professionals were conducted in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Interpretive analyses of the interview data revealed barriers regarding CRC screening for KAs included a lack of CRC knowledge, embarrassment during the screening tests, CRC-related fatalism, and modesty, no perceived need for the screening, poor English proficiency, and mistrust of the American healthcare system. The results also indicated that doctors' screening recommendations and access to Korean doctors positively influence KAs' decision to participate in CRC screening. Public health social workers should consider integrating age- and gender-specific cultural contexts when developing interventions and programs for CRC screening targeted to older KAs.

Temporal Trends in Fecal Occult Blood Test: Associated Factors (2009-2017)

A cross-sectional study with 27,821 records of non-institutionalized people in Spain aged between 50-69 years old (59.94 ± 5.8 years), who participated in the European Health Survey in Spain (2009, 2014) and National Health Survey (2011/12, 2017). Fecal occult testing, the reason for performing the test, age, sex, nationality, social status, marital status, education level, body mass index (BMI), and place of residence. Overall, 54% were women, 93.9% were Spanish, 47.8% had a secondary study, and 66.4% were married. Across the years, the rate of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) increased significantly (p < 0.001). This increase can be accounted for a letter campaign advising testing (45%, p < 0.001). FOBT was associated with more age (odds ratio-OR 1.04, 95% confidence interval-CI 1.04-1.05, p < 0.001), Spanish nationality (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.25-2.93, p = 0.003), being married (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25, p = 0.025), having a higher level of education (OR 2.46, 95% CI 2.17-2.81, p < 0.001), belonging to high social classes (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.64, p = 0.001), and BMI <25 (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25-2.37). Frequency of FOBT has increased in recent years. Performing FOBT is associated with age, nationality, marital status, higher education level, and social class.

Analyzing Factors Associated With Decisional Stage of Adoption for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Older Korean Americans Using Precaution Adoption Process Model

Introduction: For Korean Americans (KAs), colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates remain lower than the national target. This study aimed to examine factors predicting decisional stage of CRC screening adoption among older KAs using the precaution adoption process model. Method: Convenience sampling was employed to recruit KAs aged 50 to 75 years from the Atlanta metropolitan area in the United States. A total of 433 KAs completed a cross-sectional survey that collects information on sociodemographics, CRC screening history, a physician's recommendation, knowledge, self-efficacy, and decisional balance pertaining CRC screening, and precaution adoption process model stage. Results: Higher scores of decisional balance (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34), having a physician's recommendation (OR = 8.61), and having regular annual medical checkups (OR = 4.44) were significantly associated with higher decisional stage compared with lower stage, controlling for other variables. Discussion: Intervention research should incorporate consideration of individuals' decisional stage to move KAs forward from not engaging the screening to maintaining regular participation in CRC screening.