Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Aug 2014
Breast cancer in Mississippi: impact of race and residential geographical setting on cancer at initial diagnosis.
To analyze female breast cancer data for Mississippi from 2005 to 2009 to test whether race and/or geography had an impact on the stage of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. ⋯ This study provides important new information about two specific factors that may affect the stage of breast cancer diagnosis: race (whites vs African Americans) and geography (urban vs rural county). The implications of this study will aid the Mississippi State Department of Health in targeting screening programs throughout the state. The results also may affect medical and allied health care.
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2014
Attitudes toward self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among primary care attendees living on the US-Mexico border.
Hispanic women living along the US border with Mexico have one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the nation, owing in part to lower rates of screening. The barriers to screening in this population include lack of access to care and fear of and embarrassment about the pelvic examination. Screening for oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus during cervical cytology has been added to screening recommendations. A novel method for human papillomavirus testing is self-sampling, in which women collect their own cervicovaginal samples. There is lack of information about the acceptability of self-sampling as an alternative to cytology for cervical cancer screening in women living along the US-Mexico border. ⋯ In this qualitative study, we found positive attitudes toward self-sampling among women living along the US border with Mexico. Further research is needed to evaluate interventions that address women's low levels of self-efficacy to perform the test and to evaluate the effectiveness of self-sampling in increasing cervical cancer screening rates.
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2014
Knowledge and management of sports concussions among coaches and certified athletic trainers in Alabama.
To identify modifiable barriers in resources, knowledge, and management that may improve the care of young athletes with concussions in the state of Alabama. ⋯ This study describes coaches' and ATCs' varying knowledge and management techniques and highlights areas in which targeted interventions and outreach could be useful. These areas include increased ATC availability, coach/ATC concussion education, improved parent/athlete education, increased "return to think" awareness, and more consistent use of Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2.