IMPROVING BREAST-CANCER CONTROL AMONG LATINAS - EVALUATION OF A THEORY-BASED EDUCATIONAL-PROGRAM

The study evaluated a theory-based breast cancer control program speci ally developed for less acculturated Latinas. The authors used a quasi -experimental design with random assignment of Latinas into experiment al (n = 51) or control (n = 37) groups that completed one pretest and two posttest surveys. The experimental group received the educational program, which was based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory and Freire' s empowerment pedagogy. Outcome measures included knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, attitudes, breast self-examination (BSE) skills, and m ammogram use. At posttest 1, controlling for pretest scores, the exper imental group was significantly more likely than the control group to have more medically recognized knowledge (sum of square [SS] = 17.0, F = 6.58, p <.01), have less medically recognized knowledge (SS = 128.8 , F = 39.24, p <.001), greater sense of perceived self-efficacy (SS = 316.5, F = 9.63, p <.01), and greater adeptness in the conduct of BSE (SS = 234.8, F = 153.33, p <.001). Cancer control programs designed fo r less acculturated women should use informal and interactive educatio nal methods that incorporate skill-enhancing and empowering techniques .