Abstract B84: Influence of acculturation, ethnic identity, and Latino origin on barriers to colonoscopy in low-income Latinos: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates continue to be lower than projected, particularly in Latinos. Fear of colonoscopy preparation and procedure, worry about colonoscopy results, CRC fatalism, CRC preventability and curability, and CRC perceived risk have been identified as CRC screening barriers in Latinos. The study purpose was to examine change in level of fear of colonoscopy, worry, CRC fatalism, preventability, and perceived risk using longitudinal data of Latinos who participated of a randomized control trial to test the impact of a culturally targeted and theoretically based psycho-educational print intervention designed to increase CRC screening via colonoscopy. Participants were assessed with study measures before and at 4- and 8-months after randomization. Methods: Our sample included 250 Latinos between the ages of 50 and 81 years who had no personal or immediate family history of CRC, no colonoscopy in the past 5 years before participating in the study, received a referral for colonoscopy, and completed a colonoscopy by the end of the study. Interviews were performed, and data were analyzed using repeated measures MANCOVA to control for acculturation level and ethnic identity score, and to conduct group comparisons by Latino origin. Results: A significant repeated measures MANOVA, F (16, 180) = 4.13, p<.001, showed an overtime decrease in fear of colonoscopy (p<.001), and worry (p<.01). An initial repeated measures MANCOVA, F (16, 173) =1.74, p<.05, showed a significant association between time and ethnic identity, but not with acculturation or Latino origin. A follow-up repeated measures MANCOVA (with ethnic identity as covariate), F (16, 176) =1.79, p<.05, also showed a decrease in fear (p<.05) and worry (p<.05). Discussion: We found an association between change in fear and worry scores, and ethnic identity. Interventions that address negative emotions regarding CRC screening procedures/results should also consider addressing the influence of individual characteristics (e.g., commitment and sense of belonging to their ethnic group) on CRC screening among Latinos referred to colonoscopy. Citation Format: Marimer Santiago-Rivas, Lina Jandorf, Katherine DuHamel. Influence of acculturation, ethnic identity, and Latino origin on barriers to colonoscopy in low-income Latinos: A longitudinal study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B84.