A single-visit cervical carcinoma prevention program offered at an inner city church: A pilot project. Cancer 1999 Dec 15;86(12):2659-67
Date
12/14/1999Pubmed ID
10594861DOI
10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19991215)86:12<2659::AID-CNCR10>3.0.CO;2-SScopus ID
2-s2.0-0033572940 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 32 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: A single-visit cervical carcinoma prevention program was implemented, integrating screening, diagnosis, treatment, and health education in the familiar environment of the community church.
METHODS: Nonpregnant women age 18 years or older, who had not received cervical carcinoma screening in the preceding year were eligible. Subjects provided information on personal demographics, health, and knowledge regarding cervical carcinoma prevention. Thereafter, cervical cytology was collected, processed, and interpreted on site. Participants attended small-group instruction on cervical carcinoma prevention. Screening results were given to each subject individually. Patients with abnormal cytology underwent immediate colposcopy with biopsies or loop electrosurgical excision procedure as indicated. Participant satisfaction and educational impact were evaluated.
RESULTS: Ninety of the 98 participants reported that Spanish was their native language; 59 did not speak English. Fifty-four had had fewer than 6 years of education and 55 were unemployed. Seventy-eight did not have a regular physician or health insurance. Twenty-four either had never undergone cervical carcinoma screening or had let more than 5 years elapse since their previous examination. None of nine potential barriers assessed correlated with past compliance with cervical carcinoma screening. The mean time for processing and on-site interpretation of cervical cytology smears was 22.6 +/- 5.3 minutes. The median time patients spent in the program was 75 minutes. There was a significant improvement in the subjects' knowledge regarding cervical carcinoma prevention. All participants were highly satisfied.
CONCLUSIONS: This parish-based, integrated, single-visit program for the prevention of cervical carcinoma was easily implemented and provided care to a substantial proportion of underserved patients.
Author List
Holschneider CH, Felix JC, Satmary W, Johnson MT, Sandweiss LM, Montz FJAuthor
Juan Felix MD Vice Chair, Director, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultCommunity Health Services
Female
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Los Angeles
Medical Indigency
Medically Uninsured
Urban Population
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Vaginal Smears
