Pap Smear and Mammogram Screening in Mexican-American Women: The Effects of Acculturation
Author: Suarez, Lucina
Date Published: 1994
This paper examines the effects of different dimensions of acculturation on the cancer screening behavior of Mexican-American women. For Mexican-Americans, acculturation is a multidimensional process of adopting attitudes, values, and behavior from the non-Hispanic White culture. The 2-year prevalence of pap smear and mammogram screening increased with each gain in acculturation on English proficiency and use. These associations disappeared when adjusted for age, income, insurance, and education. After adjusting for other sociodemographic factors and other acculturation dimensions, a strong traditional Mexican attitude towards family was positively related to mammography use. The paper concludes that taking advantage of the positive influence of Hispanic families on cancer screening behavior may increase the effectiveness of cancer control interventions in Mexican Americans
Date Published: 1994
This paper examines the effects of different dimensions of acculturation on the cancer screening behavior of Mexican-American women. For Mexican-Americans, acculturation is a multidimensional process of adopting attitudes, values, and behavior from the non-Hispanic White culture. The 2-year prevalence of pap smear and mammogram screening increased with each gain in acculturation on English proficiency and use. These associations disappeared when adjusted for age, income, insurance, and education. After adjusting for other sociodemographic factors and other acculturation dimensions, a strong traditional Mexican attitude towards family was positively related to mammography use. The paper concludes that taking advantage of the positive influence of Hispanic families on cancer screening behavior may increase the effectiveness of cancer control interventions in Mexican Americans
