Innovative health promotion program on breast cancer screening for ethnic minority women in Hong Kong

Abstract

Purpose for the Program Hong Kong is a multiethnic society. About 72.6% of the ethnic minority population is South Asian. Lack of health insurance coverage, cultural values and beliefs, language barriers, and logistic and financial constraints are major barriers that deter the ethnic minority population from participating in cancer screening. Ethnic minority women are less educated, and most of them are housewives and submissive to their husbands. Traditional customs and cultural beliefs are major barriers for breast cancer screening. For example, touching oneself during breast self‐examination is seen as taboo by some, and some feel embarrassed about the discussion or examination of intimate body parts with male physicians.

Proposed Change To raise awareness and knowledge about preventive measures for breast cancer that are currently available for this ethnic minority group of women (e.g., Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani), we conducted a service project tailored for them.

Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation We engaged nursing students and South Asian women ambassadors (who represented the ethnic minority population) as volunteer workers. The 2‐hour event consisted of three parts: health talk, practical demonstration, and multilanguage leaflets. The project also provided an experiential learning opportunity for nursing students. Several preparatory training workshops were organized to equip voluntary nursing students, the South Asian women ambassadors, and the interpreters with the teaching material and skills in delivering health education.

Fifty‐three service recipients and 21 nursing students were recruited. Pretest and posttest evaluations using a short questionnaire were conducted to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about cancer. Findings showed improvement in knowledge and risk perception on breast cancer. Recipients demonstrated satisfactory performance and self‐efficacy on breast self‐examination. Findings also supported an improved attitude and perception on healthy lifestyle.

Implications for Nursing Practice Innovative and culturally‐sensitive information could successfully dispel the misconceptions of breast cancer and increase the awareness of breast cancer and available preventive services among ethnic minority women. South Asian women ambassadors helped to build up the mutual help network among the South Asian community and empowered women to make their own health decisions.