Correlates of receipt of colorectal cancer screening among American Indians in the northern plains

May 26, 2016

ThinkstockPhotos-101491821Research is critical for understanding the needs of clients and expanding the knowledge of social workers in the field. Even the most narrowly-focused studies can add to the growing body of knowledge in social work, and aid future undertakings to serve individuals and society. Social Work Research, a journal published quarterly by NASW Press presents cutting edge research in social work issues and practices. The incremental yet important information gained through this research can impact social work for years to come.

In the June 2016 issue, Soonhee Roh, PhD, Catherine E. Burnette, PhD, LMSW, Kyoung Hag Lee, PhD, MSW, Yeon-Shim Lee, PhD, MSW, and R. Turner Goins, PhD, present their findings on a study of colorectal cancer screening prevalence among American Indians in the Northern Plains. Specifically, the researchers were looking to see what factors impel or inhibit the likelihood of persons from this specific group to have a colorectal cancer screening. In studying the varying rates of colorectal cancer screenings received by various ethnic groups, social workers can work to ameliorate some of the prominent healthcare disparities in the nation.

The rates of individuals availing themselves of colorectal cancer screenings vary among ethnic groups. According to recent data, the prevalence of screening rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 51%, versus 61% for African Americans and 60% for whites. As for colorectal cancer itself, the rates are highest among African Americans, followed by American Indians and Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Furthermore, cancer rates in general tend to be significantly higher for American Indians living in the Northern Plains than for those in the Southwest. Clearly, a study of colorectal cancer screenings in the Northern Plains was warranted.

The researchers set out to identify the factors that correlate with the receipt of colorectal cancer screenings among American Indians living in the Northern Plains. They focused on people aged 50 and above, and recruited their sources through American Indian churches and other religious organizations, senior housing facilities, senior centers, an annual Indian art market, and three powwows in South Dakota. They broke the data up into three factors that would facilitate colorectal cancer screenings:

  • Predisposing factors, such as age, education, marital status, and gender
  • Need factors, such as personal and family histories of cancer
  • Enabling factors, such as income, having a particular place to receive medical care, and private health insurance

Based on the surveys, the researchers made several interesting discoveries. For instance, while age and being married correlated positively with screening receipt, education was not significantly correlated. Also a personal history of cancer was correlated with colorectal cancer screenings, but family history was not. Self-awareness and self-efficacy were correlated with screenings as well. In fact, researchers suggest that focusing on self-awareness and self-efficacy may be more promising areas to focus prevention and intervention efforts in increasing knowledge of colorectal cancer screenings.

The researchers also recommend culturally appropriate screening and prevention strategies, with the caveats that American Indian tribes vary widely and that members of these tribes are themselves are individuals with varying motivations and histories. Multiple modalities of prevention and intervention, as well as treatment are called for, including offering a mix of bio-medical and traditional approaches.

As always, the researchers call for more research in this area, and recommend social workers attune themselves to culturally competent practices in this and other medical preventive and intervention practices.

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