Year of Publication

2021

College

Public Health

Date Available

9-23-2021

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Committee Chair

Dr. Kathryn Cardarelli

Committee Member

Dr. Caitlin Pope

Committee Member

Dr. Jerod Stapleton

Abstract

Abstract

The Witness Project (WP) is an evidence-based breast cancer screening intervention that will be implemented in Whitehall, Ohio, at three different churches by the Franklin County Health Department. The WP will target African American women 50-74 years old who are non-compliant with current United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations. African American women face disproportionately higher mortality rates from breast cancer when compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States and in Whitehall. African American women are less likely to discuss breast cancer and preventive screening services within their community. The WP uses Witness Role Models (WRMs) and Lay Health Advisors (LHAs) to run 1-hour educational sessions at the identified church locations. The WRMs are breast cancer survivors who share their stories and experiences about early breast cancer detection through screening. The WRMs serve as social support to the participants and can answer any questions they may have regarding their experience. The LHAs serve as a community resource to the participants by educating women about breast cancer screening and connecting participants with screening services. The WP will be partnering with The James Mobile Mammography Unit and the OhioHealth Eastside Health Center to connect participants to screening services. In order to measure the short-term outcomes (breast cancer screening knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, connections to community resources), a pre- and post-program survey will be collected prior and at the conclusion of the educational sessions. The results of the program will be disseminated to the Community Advisory Board (CAB), community partners and collaborators.

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