The Application of Social Cognitive Theory to Diabetes Health Education Practice for Hispanic American women

Hispanic American women face high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Cultural influences, language barriers, and lifestyle habits are major influences on health outcomes for this demographic. The peer education model has been proven to decrease health disparities for Hispanic communities overall, and increase effectiveness of health programs. As prevention education becomes more mainstream however, it is important to develop programs grounded in theory. The Social Cognitive Theory offers a theoretical framework for diabetes peer education programs geared to Hispanic American women, with its core constructs of personal cognitive, socioenvironmental, and behavior factors interacting in a way known as reciprocal determinism.

Vietnamese American Women’s Beliefs and Perceptions About Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening: A Community-Based Participatory Study

Introduction: Although breast cancer (BC) rates are declining in White non-Hispanic American women, they are increasing among Vietnamese American women (VAW) at 1.2% (95% confidence interval [0.1, 2.2]) per year. BC screening rates (64%) are below the national rates (81.1%). This article explores VAW’s beliefs about BC and screening. Method: Using community-based participatory qualitative descriptive methods, 40 VAW were recruited from Oregon, and four focus groups were conducted. A directed content analysis was used. Results: Main themes were as follows: deferred to a health care provider or relying on self-detection and symptoms; fear of BC versus fear of procedural pain; limited knowledge; motivation by observing others’ journey in BC death or survivorship; body image concern; “living carefree,” “good fortune—having good health”; and coverage for a mammogram expense means health care access. Discussion: Tailored interventions should address mammogram knowledge, fear, erroneous information, body image, fate and luck, and promoting access.

Health Care Providers’ Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Cancer Screening in Vietnamese American Women

Introduction: Vietnamese American women (VAW) are diagnosed and die at twice the rate than White non-Hispanic American women (16.8/100,000 vs. 8.1/100,000 and 4.4/100,000 vs. 2.4/100,000, respectively). Despite efforts to increase cervical cancer (CC) screening among VAW, the participation rates are persistently low (69% to 81%). The purpose of this study was to explore health care providers’ (HCPs) perspectives on barriers and facilitators to CC screening in VAW. Method: This qualitative descriptive pilot study, used open-ended semistructured interviews with 10 HCPs. Results: The HCPs had two to 23 years treating VAW. Major barriers and facilitators identified by the HCPs were as follows: VAW’s decision making about CC screening; sexual health divide; language discordance, relying on interpreters; breaking suspicion; VAW’s exposure to health sources of CC screening; sustainable trust; and motivated health care practices. Discussion: HCPs perceived the reasons for VAW not being screened or delaying CC screening were due to their lack of knowledge, cultural barriers, language, and issues related to trust.