Date of Award

8-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing (Graduate)

First Advisor

Kristen Slabaugh

Abstract

Background: Hispanic women consistently experience the highest rates of cervical cancer mortality in the United States, leading to major health disparities in this vulnerable population. Problem: Barriers to cervical cancer screening for Hispanic women include lack of access to women’s healthcare and a lack of knowledge related to cervical cancer risk factors. Consequently, many Hispanic women do not receive adequate cervical cancer screening tests. Methods: After a thorough literature search and critique, available evidence supported the use of an educational intervention to improve access to women’s healthcare by increasing referral acceptance rates for women’s health services in the Hispanic population. This project utilized a convenience sample of Hispanic women presenting for primary care office visits at two free medical clinics. Intervention: Each consenting Hispanic woman received one-on-one education regarding individual risk factors for cervical cancer. After receiving the education, each participant was offered a referral for women’s health services. Data collection included the participant response to the offered referral. Results: The vast majority of participants who received the educational intervention (96.9%, n=63) accepted referral for women’s health services compared to the control group (0%, n=10). Conclusion: An educational intervention discussing individual cervical cancer risk factors is an effective method to increase referral acceptance for women’s health services in the Hispanic population.

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