Abstract
We sought to determine the extent to which adult female emergency department participants viewed two women’s cancer screening and two contraceptive measures negatively. The study also explored the relationship between having a negative opinion about these measures and participant demography, lack of knowledge, and lack of usage of these measures. Few women expressed negative opinions about these measures. Lack of knowledge about and lack of use of these measures were associated with having negative opinions on these cancer screening and contraceptive measures. Having any negative opinion about one cancer screening or contraceptive measure was associated with a higher risk of having any negative opinion on another measure. The results suggest that influencing opinion and knowledge about these measures might impact the success of emergency department-based cancer screening and contraceptive health programs. Editors’ Strategic Implications: Emergency departments (and primary care settings) provide key opportunities for prevention. Replication is needed, but the authors present important data on knowledge, attitudes, and characteristics that might influence women’s receptivity to consent to and engage in behaviors consistent with prevention, screening, and health promotion.
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Acknowledgments
Dr. Merchant was supported by a National Institutes of Health training grant through the Division of Infectious Diseases, Brown Medical School, The Miriam Hospital, from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5 T32 DA13911. There are no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest to report. The authors gratefully acknowledge the data entry expertise of Lyn Robillard, Kristina Casadei, and Robert Andreozzi; the assistance of the survey volunteers from the Society for Clinical Research for Undergraduates at Brown University; and a $500 donation of gift cards by CVS/pharmacy.
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Merchant, R.C., Gee, E.M., Bock, B.C. et al. Negative Opinions About Cancer Screening and Contraceptive Measures by Female Emergency Department Patients. J Primary Prevent 29, 517–533 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-008-0154-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-008-0154-8