The impact of a promotora on increasing routine chronic disease prevention among women aged 40 and older at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Jennifer B. Hunter, Jill Guernsey de Zapien, Mary Papenfuss, Maria Lourdes Fernandez, Joel Meister, Anna R. Giuliano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

A randomized controlled intervention tested the effectiveness of a community health worker (CHW) program in increasing compliance with annual preventive exams among uninsured Hispanic women living in a rural U.S.-Mexico border area. During 1999-2000, household surveys were administered to women aged 40 and older. Uninsured women not receiving routine comprehensive preventive care were invited to participate in a free comprehensive clinical exam. Participants in the initial exam were eligible to participate in the CHW (promotora) intervention. Women were randomized to one of two intervention arms. One arm received a post-card reminder for an annual preventive exam, the other a postcard reminder and follow-up visit by a promotora. Receiving the promotora intervention was associated with a 35% increase in rescreening over the postcard-only reminder (risk ratio [RR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval 0.95-1.92). Using promotoras to increase compliance with routine screening exams is an effective strategy for reaching this female population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18S-28S
JournalHealth education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education
Volume31
Issue number4 Suppl
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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