Description
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening disparities continue to persist among Latinos despite increasing CRC screening rates within the past decade. To help address this disparity, a promotor-led intervention was implemented in community-based settings, connecting community members with a partnering Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to access CRC screening. Purpose: The study examines screening completion at six-month follow-up and identifies socio-demographic variables that may impact adherence to CRC screening. Methods: The Juntos Contra el Cáncer/Together Against Cancer (JUNTOS) program enrolled 214 male and female Latinos between the ages of 50 to 75 years who have not been screened for CRC. The study was conducted in San Diego, California, and implemented a 2.5-hour promotor-led educational workshop describing CRC screening benefits and CRC screening options. Promotores provided instrumental (e.g. assist with appointment scheduling with partnering clinic) and social support (e.g. encouragement). Data collection occurred between December 2016 and March 2019. A total of 173 participants were included in the final analyses. Socio-demographic variables and barriers to CRC screening comparisons were made between those who completed a screening at six months (adherent) and those who did not complete a screening at six months (non-adherent) using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Overall, out of the 173 total participants, 117 participants completed screening (67.6%) and 56 participants (32.4%) did not complete screening by six months. There were no significant group differences in any of the demographic variables (p > 0.05). Medicare/Medicaid enrollees were more likely to get screened than those with no health insurance (OR = 3.11, 95% CI [1.22, 7.96], p = 0.02). Significant associations (p < 0.05) exist between screening completion and the barriers to colonoscopy of needing to take laxatives or enema. Conclusion: This study sought to help address health disparities within the Latino community in CRC screening by promoting early detection through CRC screening. Results supplement existing literature regarding the potential benefits of group based education, involvement of promotores, and recommendations for multicomponent interventions.
