Impact of perceived racial discrimination on health screening in Black Women

Charles P. Mouton, Pamela L. Carter-Nolan, Kepher H. Makambi, Teletia R. Taylor, Julie R. Palmer, Lynn Rosenberg, Lucile L. Adams-Campbell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Perceived discrimination has been shown to be related to health screening behavior. The present study examines the effect of discrimination on cancer screening among women in the Black Women's Health Study. Five self-report items measured discrimination in everyday life and three items measured experiences of major discrimination. Logistic regression was used to test associations of discrimination with Pap smear, mammography, or colonoscopy utilization. At the start of follow-up, 88.8% had a Pap smear in the previous year, 52.7% had a mammogram, and 20.0% had received a colonoscopy. Both everyday and major discrimination were associated with not having received a Pap smear, even after adjusting for other variables. Discrimination was not associated with mammography or colonoscopy utilization. In conclusion, perceived everyday and major discrimination is associated with poorer utilization of Pap smears for cervical cancer screening among Black women.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)287-300
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Black
  • Cancer screening
  • Racism
  • Women's health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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