Trends and Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening among Florida Women: Analysis of 2001 and 2008 BRFSS Data

This study examined trends and correlates of breast cancer screening among women aged ≥40 years old by race/ethnicity using the 2001 and 2008 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Breast cancer screening was measured using both mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE). The total sample size was 10,386, with 4,938 women in the 2001 BRFSS and 5,448 in 2008. Significant disparities in breast cancer screening by race/ethnicity were found both in 2001 and 2008, with Hispanics having the lowest screening participation, compared to non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. In 2008, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest percentage of timely mammography, CBE, and both mammography and CBE combined than non- Hispanic white and Hispanic women. Not having health insurance was a strong predictor of non-screening across all racial/ethnic groups. Whereas age, being married, and having a college education or higher were negatively correlated with lack of timely breast cancer screening among non-Hispanic Whites, poor health status was positively associated with lack of timely screening. Among Hispanics, the variables of having some college education or college degree or higher were positively associated with lack of CBE and with mammography and CBE. Our findings suggest that both an expansion of health insurance coverage as well as the timely promotion of screening across education and racial/ethnic segments may be important for breast cancer prevention

Exploring the Effect of Sexual Education on Sexual Health Risk Behaviors: Analysis of the 2003 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys in Florida and Alabama

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between sexual health education content and sexual health risk behaviors, and the mediating effect of demographic variables. A cross-sectional research design employing secondary data analysis explored these associations in a sample of African American and non-Hispanic White male and female adolescents that took part in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for the years 2003 and 2007 in the aforementioned southern states. Significant associations were observed between race and reported condom use and alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse. For both Alabama and Florida, sexual health education was associated with reported condom usage as well as alcohol and/or drug use at last sexual intercourse. Those receiving sexual education of either type were more likely to report using a condom at their last sexual encounter, and less likely to report alcohol and/or drug use. However, the multivariate analysis did not support all of the findings of the bivariate analysis for both reported condom and alcohol and/or drug use. These findings suggest there is need for continued sexual education in this vulnerable demographic group

Meaning of Pregnancy Terms Among African-American Women

The concept of pregnancy intendedness is complex and may not bear the same meaning to all women. Moreover, researcher definition and women’s meaning were thought to be different. Some researchers have indicated that it is unclear how well women understand and relate to questions used by the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and how the classifications relate to women’s lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of terms such as planned and/or intended pregnancy among African-American women of childbearing age using a qualitative exploratory descriptive method. Although African-American women want children, they are three times as likely to experience an unintended pregnancy as white women. Data extracted from transcripts were coded and analyzed for recurrent patterns and themes. For this study, the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) was employed to frame interview questions and to interpret data. Findings suggest participants and partners often did not have the same perceptions or meanings of pregnancy planning or intentions. These findings have implications for research and family planning policy

Differences in Colorectal Cancer Outcomes by Race and Insurance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer among African American women and the third most common cancer for African American men. The mortality rate from CRC is highest among African Americans compared to any other racial or ethnic group. Much of the disparity in mortality is likely due to diagnosis at later stages of the disease, which could result from unequal access to screening. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of race and insurance status on CRC outcomes among CRC patients. Data were drawn from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Logistic regressions models were used to examine the odds of receiving treatment after adjusting for insurance, race, and other variables. Cox proportional hazard models were used to measure the risk of CRC death after adjusting for sociodemographic and tumor characteristics when associating race and insurance with CRC-related death. Blacks were diagnosed at more advanced stages of disease than whites and had an increased risk of death from both colon and rectal cancers. Lacking insurance was associated with an increase in CRC related-deaths. Findings from this study could help profile and target patients with the greatest disparities in CRC health outcomes