Colorectal cancer screening behaviors among South Asian immigrants in Canada: a qualitative study

dc.contributor.authorCrawford, J
dc.contributor.authorAhmad, F
dc.contributor.authorBeaton, DE
dc.contributor.authorBierman, AS
dc.date.accessioned2016-08-18T21:27:49Z
dc.date.available2016-08-18T21:27:49Z
dc.date.issued2015-06
dc.description.abstractPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of beliefs, attitudes, and reasons for decision making about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among South Asian (SA) immigrants. Design/methodology/approach: Six focus groups conducted in English, Punjabi, and Urdu were held with 42 SA immigrants, 50-74 years old and at average risk for CRC, from November 2012 to May 2013. All focus group discussions were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis used an inductive and systematic approach employing constant comparison techniques. Findings: Three dominant themes emerged. Beliefs and attitudes towards cancer and screening represented SA immigrant’s perceptions that early detection was beneficial; screening was not necessary in the absence of symptoms; cancer was scary; and the loss of previously established bowel practices upon immigration as potential risks for CRC. Knowledge and awareness focused on unscreened participants’ cancer stories; screened participants’ knowledge of CRC, risk factors, and screening; experiential learning from focus groups; and screened participants’ strategies to promote screening. Support and accessibility concentrated on physician support and responsibility to provide information, explanation, and recommend screening to facilitate access. Originality/value: Findings provide novel insights on socio-cultural context, beliefs, and barriers to CRC screening among SA immigrants. Culturally appropriate community-based strategies included story-telling, the use of social networks, and greater physician engagement. Enhancing collaborative partnerships with physicians and public health may minimize structural barriers and reduce health disparities. Future research could explore effectiveness of outreach strategies including these collaborations.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipJoanne Crawford would like to acknowledge the Population Health Improvement Research Network for the Ontario Doctoral Student in Population Health Award and the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology for the Novice Researcher Grant as they provided partial support of the doctoral research.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCrawford J, Ahmad F, Beaton D & Bierman AS. Colorectal cancer screening behaviors among South Asian immigrants in Canada: a qualitative study. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care 2015; 11(2):130-146.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10315/31831
dc.publisherEmeralden_US
dc.rights'This article is © Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here http://hdl.handle.net/10315/31831. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.'en_US
dc.rights.articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-09-2014-0037en_US
dc.subjectHealth behavioursen_US
dc.subjectFocus groupsen_US
dc.subjectSouth Asianen_US
dc.subjectColorectal canceren_US
dc.subjectEarly detection of canceren_US
dc.subjectImmigrant healthen_US
dc.titleColorectal cancer screening behaviors among South Asian immigrants in Canada: a qualitative studyen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Crawford et al 2015.pdf
Size:
9.13 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.83 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: