https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-8276
![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among East African men in Minnesota.
Design: Six focus groups were conducted in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA. Participants were asked to describe individual and structural barriers to CRC screening, and discuss strategies that would address individual and structural barriers to screening. Audio-recorded conversations were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. The transcriptions were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Major themes that emerged on individual barriers were lack of knowledge, fear, and privacy.
Results: Themes that emerged on structural barriers were distrust in the medical system, lack of health care coverage, and access to the health care system. Education, client reminders, mass media, increased clarity in communication with the provider and translator, and increased access to health care were frequently mentioned strategies to increase CRC screening in the East African community. Participants expressed favorable views toward the concept of patient navigation.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate the need to develop culturally appropriate, multi-faced, intervention programs that are aimed at eliminating personal, cultural, and structural barriers.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr. Osman M. Ahmed (East Africa Health Project) and Mr. Hassan Omar and Mr. Abdullahi Sheikh (African Community Services) for their assistance with community outreach and addressing logistical issues. In addition, the authors would like to thank all participants who shared valuable information.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
![Supercharge Your Next Research Paper: Research and write your next paper with Jenni AI.]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/112442/MPU-social-sciences.png"})