Knowledge and screening of head and neck cancer among American Indians in South Dakota

S. Dwojak, D. Deschler, M. Sargent, K. Emerick, B.A. Guadagnolo and D. Petereit

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 6, 1155-1160

Abstract: Objectives. We established the level of awareness of risk factors and early symptoms of head and neck cancer among American Indians in South Dakota and determined whether head and neck cancer screening detected clinical findings in this population. Methods. We used the European About Face survey. We added questions about human papillomavirus, a risk factor for head and neck cancer, and demographics. Surveys were administered at 2 public events in 2011. Participants could partake in a head and neck cancer screening at the time of survey administration. Results. Of the 205 American Indians who completed the survey, 114 participated in the screening. Mean head and neck cancer knowledge scores were 26 out of 44. Level of education was the only factor that predicted higher head and neck cancer knowledge (b = 0.90; P = .01). Nine (8%) people had positive head and neck cancer screening examination results. All abnormal clinical findings were in current or past smokers (P = .06). Conclusions. There are gaps in American Indian knowledge of head and neck cancer risk factors and symptoms. Community-based head and neck cancer screening in this population is feasible and may be a way to identify early abnormal clinical findings in smokers. © 2015, American Public Health Association Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: adolescent; adult; aged; American Indian; attitude to health; female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; human; information processing; male; mass screening; middle aged; questionnaire; risk factor; United States; very elderly, Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Focus Groups; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Indians, North American; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; South Dakota; Surveys and Questionnaires (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302177_9

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302177

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