Goal: Reduce disparities in cancer screening and treatment

Project Name: Cervical Cancer Screening: Perceptions of Muslim Women

Project Lead: Aliyah Ali

Project Group: International Health Education Alliance

Contact Information

Phone: 612-532-1717                           

Email: alix0054@umn.edu

Describe the project in 1-2 paragraphs. What is the goal of the project, how many women will be reached, what population, community, or geographic area  will the project will reach. What intervention will be utilized and, is the intervention supported in the literature. Include project rationale (disparity data, key informant/focus group information, etc) that supports the need for the project.

The aim of this project is to determine existing barriers that prevent Muslim women from obtaining cervical cancer screening. This information will further be used to determine and describe best practices needed to increase the rate of screening among Muslim Women. Women who attend the Islamic Center of Minnesota, which serves the majority of the Muslim community within Minnesota, were invited to participate in this project.   Preliminary analysis of focus groups have indicated that many women are unaware of the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. In addition to this, several women requested a comprehensive workshop that would inform them on cervical cancer. Therefore, it is evident that there exists a need for culturally appropriate education among this particular community regarding the subject of cervical cancer that effectively emphasizes the importance of screening.

Describe timeline

Needs Assessment (Focus Groups/Key Informant Interviews): March-May of 2007 Health Education Workshops: September-December of 2007

Objectives – list objectives or describe what you will be developing for Evaluation Plan.

Determine the perceptions of Muslim women regarding cervical cancer Determine the perceptions of Muslim women regarding cervical cancer screening methods Provide participants with culturally appropriate education materials and workshops regarding cervical cancer screening To provide participants with information regarding available resources for cervical cancer screening and/or treatment

Budget: identify project supplies/needs that require funding: EX: translation of cervical materials into Karen

Educational materials for women Printing and Postage Gift/Stipend for women who participate in focus group or key-informant interviews Food and refreshments for each focus group Translation services Child Care Services