Article
 

“We don’t talk about it” and other interpersonal influences on Hmong women’s breast and cervical cancer screening decisions

Public Deposited

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/x920g275n

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • Hmong women in the U.S. have low rates of breast and cervical cancer screening, and the factors that influence screening in this population are not well-understood. This qualitative study explored family and clan influences on Hmong women’s breast and cervical cancer screening attitudes and behavior. We conducted in-depth interviews with Hmong women and men living in Oregon. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts of 83 interviews were analyzed using content analysis. We identified four key themes. First, Hmong women make decisions about breast and cervical cancer screening independently. Second, Hmong families do not discuss breast and cervical cancer screening. For some, not talking about breast and cervical cancer screening was seen as a way that family and clan influence attitudes. Third, Hmong families can provide encouragement and support for screening. Although women make their own decisions, about half of participants reported that family encouraged or supported them or women in their family to get screened. Fourth, some family members, especially elders, may actively discourage screening. This study contributes to knowledge about potential barriers and facilitators to breast and cervical cancer screening for Hmong women. Findings expand our understanding of clan and male family member’s influence over Hmong women’s screening behavior.
  • Keywords: breast cancer screening, Hmong, interpersonal influences, cervical cancer screening
Resource Type
DOI
Date Available
Date Issued
Citation
  • Thorburn, S., Kue, J., Keon, K. L., & Zukoski, A. (2012, December 4). “We don’t talk about it” and other interpersonal influences on Hmong women’s breast and cervical cancer screening decisions. Health Education Research, 28(5). doi:10.1093/her/cys115
Journal Title
Journal Volume
  • 28
Journal Issue/Number
  • 5
Academic Affiliation
Rights Statement
Funding Statement (additional comments about funding)
  • The project described was supported by Award Number R21CA139147 from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Replaces

Relationships

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details Thorburn_HHS_WeDontTalkAboutIt.pdf 2017-12-11 Public Download