Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialIncreased cancer screening behavior in women of color by culturally sensitive video exposure.
Electronic media have demonstrated efficacy in increasing knowledge and promoting health-protective behavior among individuals at high risk for chronic disease. In "Stimulating Cancer Screening among Women of Color through Video" (A. K. Yancey and L. Walden, 1994, J Cancer Educ 9:46-52) the development of a cost-effective documentary format for culturally sensitive health education videos was described. These videos could not be independently evaluated within the cancer control program for which they were developed. ⋯ Culturally sensitive videos displayed in waiting rooms may be useful in health promotion efforts in communities of color. The similarity of results in both clinic sites suggests that Spanish-language tapes may be constructed to appeal to Latinos of different nationalities.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Comparative StudyIs serum cotinine a better measure of cigarette smoking than self-report?
To address the question of whether serum cotinine is a better measure of cigarette smoking than self-reported behavior by examining the relation of biochemical, physical examination, and depression assessments to self-reported cigarette consumption and serum cotinine in a population-based sample. ⋯ Serum cotinine may be a better method of quantifying risks from cigarette use in epidemiological studies.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 1995
Beliefs and attitudes as determinants of cervical cancer screening: a community-based study in Singapore.
The investigation of cervical cancer screening acceptance in relation to health beliefs and attitudes presents a challenge in a multiethnic population such as Singapore's, where the uptake is currently suboptimal in high-risk groups. This study attempts to identify cognitive barriers to screening activity in order to suggest possible directions for cervical cancer prevention efforts. ⋯ The means of increasing the acceptance of the Pap smear, both for the first time and subsequently, are culture-specific and must address the appropriate health beliefs and attitudes. In Singapore, such efforts should include not only influencing awareness and perceptions through public education but also reducing barriers by creating an appropriate environment for the delivery of this important health service.