Raffy R. Luquis

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about breast cancer and breast cancer screening among Hispanic women residing in South Central Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about breast cancer, and screening behaviors among Hispanic women in Pennsylvania. Eight focus groups were conducted with Hispanic women to obtain answers to the questions of interest. Results, based on content analysis, showed that cultural factors, such as family and fatalism, influence breast cancer knowledge and screening among this group. In addition, these women had some misconceptions regarding breast cancer and breast cancer detection screening. Most participants reported that they would like to receive breast cancer education in Spanish from health care providers or health educators. These results can help health professionals, including health educators, in the development of suitable breast cancer education and screening promotion programs for Hispanic women.

SEXUAL SATISFACTION AMONG MARRIED WOMEN AGE 50 AND OLDER

Correlates of sexual satisfaction were identified in a sample of older married women. A 70-item questionnaire was mailed to an age-stratified sample of 5,000 married persons, including 1,000 married women over the age of 50. Usable questionnaires were received from 148 participants (14.8% return rate) Hierarchical multiple regression analysis, using sexual satisfaction as the dependent variable, yielded five predictor variables that accounted for a significant portion of the variation in sexual satisfaction (Cumulative R2 = .73). These results serve as a reminder that sexual interactions cannot be compartmentalized but must be considered within the context of the overall marriage relationship. Given the low return rate, interpretations should be limited until replication with an adequate sample has been completed.

Religiosity, Spirituality, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviors Among College Students

The purpose of this study was to determine whether religiosity, spirituality, and sexual attitudes accounted for differences in sexual behaviors among college students. The sample included 960 college students enrolled at four northeastern colleges. Results indicated differences in sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality by gender. Moreover, sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality were associated with sexual behaviors among college students. Sexual behaviors among males were influenced by their sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality, while for females, their sexual behaviors were mostly influenced by their sexual attitudes. College health professionals can use these findings when discussing sexual practices with students.

Achieving Cultural Competence: The Challenges for Health Educators

Abstract The racial and ethnic diversification of the U.S. population presents a clear call for health educators to surmount the barriers they have encountered in reaching U.S. racial and ethnic groups with culturally appropriate health promotion and prevention messages. As the population becomes more culturally and ethnically diverse, the preparation of culturally competent health educators and the development of culturally appropriate health education and promotion programs become crucial. Health educators must strive to achieve cultural competency by understanding the meaning of culture and its complexity within each group; increasing cultural awareness, knowledge, skills, and desire; and applying the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services until they develop discipline-specific standards. This article discusses some of the issues surrounding cultural competence and provides some strategies by which health educators can become culturally competent.

Cultural Competence Development in Health Education Professional Preparation Programs

Abstract To date few studies have been conducted to assess the preparation of health educators in the area of cultural sensitivity and competence. The purpose of this study was to assess efforts and opportunities offered by health education professional preparation programs to prepare health educators in the area of cultural competence. One hundred fifty-seven department chairs or program coordinators completed a survey to elicit information regarding cultural competence and professional preparation programming. Results of the study suggest that most health education professional preparation programs are not offering courses entirely devoted to cultural competency. Nonetheless, it appeared that most programs are adequately addressing cultural competency content-related areas in their courses. The results also showed that most faculty members are committed and feel comfortable with addressing issues of cultural competency with their students. Findings from this survey support the need for the implementation of standardized cultural competency training for faculty members, cultural competency required courses for students, and for discipline-specific standards for cultural competency among health educators.

Attitudes About and Practices of Health Promotion and Prevention Among Primary Care Providers

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s emphasis on health promotion and prevention activities required an examination of the current practices of primary care providers in these areas. A total of 196 primary care providers completed a survey to assess current health promotion and prevention attitudes, practices, and barriers. Results of this study showed that family physicians in Pennsylvania recognize the importance of and their role in providing health promotion and prevention and offer advice in key behavioral and disease prevention areas. Results from the study suggest that their ability to provide these services is hindered by a lack of time and the heavy workload. Although most family physicians provided advice to patients in several health promotion and prevention areas, few participants reported that they referred patients to other health professionals. Finally, when it comes to preventive services, participants ranked blood pressure screening, tobacco use screening, and tobacco use cessation interventions as the most important services. Effective implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will require necessary resources and support of primary care providers to help patients achieve healthier lives.

Perceptions of Health Care and Access to Preventive Services Among Young Adults

The enactment of the Affordable Care Act increased the emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention by making preventive care accessible for many Americans, especially young adults, who could remain on their parents or legal guardians’ health insurance until the age of 26. Yet, many Americans receive only half of the recommended preventive care services, which highlight the need for the improvement of health promotion and prevention services. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among access to health care insurance, perceptions about health insurance, and use of preventive care services among young adults. Nine hundred and forty-six participants ages 19–34 completed a 40 question web-based survey. Data analysis suggested that while the majority of participants had health insurance, there were significant differences in opinions about the ACA, health insurance, and use of preventive services by gender, education level, and health insurance status. Overall, participants with health insurance were more likely to have received at least three of the basic preventive care services; however, most of them were not getting the preventive care as recommended. Results reaffirm the need for further studies on the impact of health insurance among young adults and the need for the emphasis on health promotion to educate young adults about the importance of disease prevention and preventive services.

Exploring Latino College Students’ Sexual Behaviors in Relation to Their Sexual Attitudes, Religiousness, and Spirituality

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors among Latino and non-Latino college students. The sample included 230 undergraduate college students enrolled at a mid-sized University in the western USA. Sexual behaviors among Latinos were significantly correlated with sexual attitudes and spiritual disclosure in close relationships. However, sexual behaviors for non-Latino respondents were only significantly related to sexual attitudes, not indices of religiousness or spirituality. Sexual educators, health educators, college-level instructors, and counselors can use these results to help Latino and non-Latino students alike understand the relationship between their religious and spiritual beliefs, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors.