Development and validation of the cancer literacy measure for African Americans

Research has shown that higher levels of cancer health literacy are related to improved health outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research regarding the influence of health literacy on breast and cervical cancer health disparities within the African American community. To further explore this area, researchers need a psychometrically validated measurement tool. The current study represents an exploration of the Cancer Literacy Measure for African Americans (CLM-AA), designed to measure African American women’s cultural and conceptual knowledge of breast and cervical cancer. Survey data were collected from 301 African American women using online survey methodology. Exploratory factor analyses revealed factors that measured women’s beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and emotions regarding breast and cervical cancer. In addition, the CLM-AA assessed participants’ breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors, gender preferences for healthcare providers, and referral sources for cancer screening. Coefficient alphas for the factors ranged from .67 to .97, with one factor requiring revision to improve reliability. Despite this limitation, the CLM-AA has the potential to be a useful tool for researchers and practitioners to assess the breast and cervical cancer health literacy of African American women.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Mayfield, Jennifer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Buki, Lydia P.
• Neville, Helen A.
• Alston, Reginald J.
• Grigsby-Toussaint, Diana S.

• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• African American Women
• health literacy
• health literacy measure

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Jennifer Mayfield

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/42399

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/42399