BACKGROUND: Mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE) are underutilized, especially by women from some racial/ethnic minorities. Few published studies of screening practices or correlates for these subgroups exist. METHODS: A population-based telephone survey of 1,090 Korean Americans living in two California counties was conducted. To produce population estimates of mammography and CBE testing, we adjusted frequencies to account for different selection probabilities. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine independent correlates of testing. RESULTS: Only 34% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 30%, 39%] of Korean American women age 50 and older were estimated to have had a mammogram in the past 2 years. Only 32% (95% CI 28%, 37%) had had a CBE in the past 2 years. The strongest independent correlate of testing was having a regular medical checkup [odds ratio (OR) for mammogram = 9.21, 95% CI 3.98, 21.35; OR for CBE = 11.58, 95% CI 4.71, 28.46]. CONCLUSIONS: These estimates are lower than the Healthy People 2000 objectives as well as published estimates for other populations in the United States. Planning and implementing tailored programs to improve screening are best done using a community-sensitive approach, which, because racial/ethnic subgroups are growing, will assume increasing public health importance.

Aged↗

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Critical research and data issues for AAPI tobacco control.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Asian↗

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Correlates of cigarette smoking among Korean American adults in Alameda County, California.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to determine the sociodemographic correlates of smoking among Korean American adults in Alameda County, California, 1994-1995. METHOD: Korean surname-based telephone survey; contingency table and multinomial logistic regression analyses. FINDINGS: Almost 39% of Korean American men and 6% of Korean American women were current smokers. Among Korean American men those who attended religious activities less than monthly had nearly three times the odds of being current smokers, and those who did not speak English well had 2 1/2 times the odds of being current smokers as compared to never smokers. Those 18 to 24 years of age had more than 8 1/2 times the odds, and those who attended religious activities less than monthly had more than 3 1/2 times the odds of being current smokers as compared to former smokers. Among Korean American women those who were not married had more than 3 times the odds of being current smokers, and those who attended religious activities less than monthly had 22 times the odds of being current smokers as compared to never smokers. Those who attended religious activities less than monthly had almost 8 times the odds of being current smokers as compared to former smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study increases our understanding about the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking among Korean Americans and can contribute to the development of effective smoking cessation and prevention strategies in this understudied population.

Adult↗

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Using a stages of readiness model to address community capacity on tobacco control in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment and Leadership (APPEAL) Stages of Community Readiness Model, a framework for assessing and evaluating tobacco control in the diverse Asian American and PaCific Islander (AAPI) communities. METHODS: This model extends the work of existing community capacity models by applying a "stage of readiness" continuum of the five stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance in terms of developing, launching and sustaining AAPI tobacco control efforts. FINDINGS: The APPEAL Model allows communities to diagnose, then address their unique needs through appropriate technical assistance, training and resources. The APPEAL Model benefits both communities and funders through its ability to better understand their readiness to conduct tobacco control and have realistic expectations on the outcomes of those efforts. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes the elements of the Readiness model for AAPIS, particularly those addressing research and data issues, current applications of the model in specific AAPI ethnic communities, and the lessons learned thus far regarding the model's applicability to, and support of, the development of AAPI tobacco control efforts nationally.

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"Health is strength": a research collaboration involving Korean Americans in Alameda County.

INTRODUCTION: This is a preliminary report from a research collaboration between Asian Health Services (community health center); Koreans in Alameda County, California; and the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health. This five-year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project supports a collaborative community intervention to improve breast and cervical cancer screening behavior among Korean women. METHODS: A Korean Community Advisory Board and Korean-American staff were recruited, and community sensitive research (CSR) and participatory action research (PAR) principles were applied: (1) building community infrastructure for sustainable action, (2) cultural appropriateness, (3) assuring responsiveness to community needs, and (4) a prevention focus that would assist health care providers. We conducted a population-based telephone survey on 676 Korean adults (272 men and 404 women). RESULTS: The collaborative process yielded (1) a high response rate (79%), (2) baseline health information on Korean Americans, (3) broadening of the original research topic, (4) survey responses that will guide intervention design, (5) culturally competent strategies, and (6) expanded Korean-American Community capacity for local action. CONCLUSIONS: Research collaboration between universities, community-based organizations, and ethnic communities can yield high-quality research. CSR and PAR approaches help break through cultural barriers in otherwise "hard to reach" API sub-populations. Determinants of success include sharing common goals; trust, honesty, and integrity; shared decision making; mutual respect of each partner's expertise; cultural sensitivity and cultural competence; flexibility, good communication, and mutual learning; and continuity of partners. Actively engaging members of the study population in the research process builds community capacity, thus laying the foundation for future projects that improve health status.

Adult↗