Hispanic health in Nashville 2007: Cancer needs assessment

B43 Objective: Nashville, Tennessee, has been termed a “new growth community” because it historically has had relatively few Hispanics, but has recently had very high growth in the Hispanic population. Tennessee ranks third among states (after North Carolina and Georgia) in the rate of growth of the Hispanic population over the past 15 years. However, health-related data on Hispanics in Nashville are very scarce. The objective of this study is to identify cancer-related needs among the Hispanic community in Nashville, Tennessee. It is part of a general needs and assets assessment for the Cancer Outreach Core of the Meharry-Vanderbilt-TSU Cancer Disparities Partnership (U54 grant from National Cancer Institute). Methodology: This study uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, with the participation of community members in every phase of the project through collaboration with the Progreso Community Center and the Nashville Latino Health Coalition. A convenience sample of N=504 Hispanic adults (18 and over) living in the Nashville area responded to a brief structured questionnaire. Hispanic community members and bilingual students were trained to collect data. Questionniares were collected at a variety of community locations throughout the Nashville area. The sample consisted of 55% women and 45% men, with an average age of 35. Just over half of the sample was from Mexico, and around 20% were from Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras. Results: Around two-thirds of the sample had less than a high school degree, 80% had no health insurance, and 55% spoke little or no English. Out of a list of 25 health concern, cancer was the most frequently chosen as a health concern. One-fifth of participants were current smokers, and another one-fifth were former smokers. Three-fourths of participants indicated that they would like more information on how to prevent cancer, and just over half wanted information on cancer screening. Nearly half wanted information on the availability of screening services for uninsured individuals, as well as information on support for persons with cancer. About one-fourth of participants indicated that they would like more information about cancer clinical trials. When asked about their opinion of studies that investigate treatments for cancer (i.e., clinical trials), around 70% said that they thought that the studies are good, 5% said that they are not good, and nearly one-fourth said that they were not sure or that they had never heard of these studies. The vast majority of participants said they would participate in a clinical trial to receive treatment if they had cancer. Participants with daughters under age 18 were asked if they would obtain the new cervical cancer vaccine for their daughters if it were free, and more than 90% said probably or definitely yes. Conclusions: Cancer was identified as the top health concern in the Nashville Hispanic community. A great deal of interest was expressed in obtaining information related to cancer, particularly prevention and early detection of cancer. A high level of support was expressed for cancer clinical trials and for the new cervical cancer vaccine. The results will guide planning of new collaborative outreach and research initiatives for the Cancer Outreach Core and the Nashville Latino Health Coalition. The partnership with Progreso Community Center demonstrated the feasibility of conducting CBPR with the Hispanic community in Nashville.