Susan Brown Eve

Race and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening in a Safety-Net System

Objectives: The three objectives of this research were: 1) to examine the use of Pap smear tests among low-income women, including minority and immigrant women who were patients in a safety-net healthcare system; 2) to identify policy relevant variables that could lead to changes in use of Pap smear screening services for these women; and 3) to contribute to the literature on use of Pap smear screening, especially among minorities and immigrants. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was used as the theoretical framework. Methods: Pap smear screening predictors were examined using telephone interviews with a random sample of women aged 18–60, including 465 Non-Hispanic Whites, 285 African Americans, 164 Hispanic Americans, and 256 Hispanic immigrants, enrolled in a safety-net healthcare system in Texas in Fall 2000. Binary logistic regression analysis was used. Results: The research revealed that Non-Hispanic Whites were most likely to have been screened ever and in the past 3 years, followed by African Americans, Hispanic immigrants, and Hispanic Americans. Among Hispanics, immigrants were most likely to have had Pap smear screening, supporting the “healthy immigrant hypothesis.” Older women were most likely to have ever been screened, with younger women, most likely in the past year. Having a usual source of healthcare and a checkup for current pregnancy increased screening, while competing needs (food, clothing, housing) affected screening negatively. Conclusions: Culturally competent, community-based care for women is needed to increase Pap smear screening among minority groups, especially Hispanic immigrant and Hispanic American women.

Use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills among older Texans

†This research was supported in part by Faculty Research Funds of North Texas State University and by a multidisciplinary grant from the Administration on Aging. This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society, Washington, D.C., November 25–30, 1979.

ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING NEW EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TEACHING NURSING HOMES: THE CASE FOR LONG‐TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION

The experiences of an educational program in long‐term care administration that has used nursing homes as an integral part of the training of new administrators for eighteen years are described. The five part program includes 1) courses in gerontology, 2) courses in business administration, 3) an integrative seminar in long‐term care administration, 4) a nonresearch thesis, and 5) a seven‐month internship in a long‐term care setting. Issues discussed include choosing field work facilities, supervision of students in the field, and expectations for student performance in the field setting.