USE OF PEER ROLE MODELS TO INCREASE PAP SMEAR AND MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGIN MEXICAN-AMERICAN AND BLACK-WOMEN

We evaluated the use of a community-based intervention model to increa se Pap smear and mammogram screening in minority women. The community programs were based on the A Su Salud (To Your Health) model, which in cludes the presentation of positive role models in the media and posit ive social reinforcement by community volunteers. Mexican-American wom en 40-70 years of age in Corpus Christi, Texas, and black women 40-70 years of age in Galveston, Texas, were targeted. Role models from the target community told their personal stories about cancer screening th rough local media (television, radio, and newspapers). Volunteers rein forced media messages among the target audience by distributing newsle tters. Preintervention and postintervention cross-sectional surveys am ong the target group measured relative increases in knowledge, attitud e, and practice. Pap smear use (past two years) was not substantially improved. Mammogram use (past two years) increased 57% among Mexican-A merican women (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] = 1.57; 90% confidence inte rval [CI] = 1.19, 2.08) and 30% among black women (PRR = 1.30; 90% CI = 1.04, 1.63). We demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a peer role model intervention at the local health department level. The impr ovement in mammogram use among high-risk women is encouraging, but fur ther controlled research is needed to test the effectiveness and cost- efficiency of this approach.