Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Reiter, Paul Lawrence
Language:English
Published: The Ohio State University / OhioLINK 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1210958568
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu12109585682021-08-03T05:53:34Z Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia Reiter, Paul Lawrence Epidemiology Public Health Appalachia self-identity cervical cancer cancer screening risky behavior <p>Many stereotypes and images are present about the Appalachian region and its residents, but little is known about how Appalachian residents view themselves. Due to the diversity in the region and migration of people into Appalachia, it is of interest to identify factors associated with Appalachian self-identity, as well as the relationship between Appalachian self-identity and health behaviors. The goals of this research were to determine the prevalence of Appalachian self-identity, to ascertain factors associated with Appalachian self-identity, and to examine the effect of Appalachian self-identity on factors related to cervical cancer, such as Pap smear screening habits and risky sexual behavior.</p><p>One of the aims of the Community Awareness Resources and Education (CARE) study was to investigate the interaction of environmental, societal, behavioral, and biological mechanisms as they contribute to understanding the causes and prevention of cervical cancer in Ohio Appalachia. Mixed regression models using baseline data on 571 women from the CARE study were utilized to construct multivariable models for identifying factors significantly associated with Appalachian self-identity, examining the relationship between Appalachian self-identity and Pap smear screening behaviors, and examining the relationship between Appalachian self-identity and past risky sexual behavior. </p><p>Appalachian self-identity was reported by more than 35% of participants from the Ohio Appalachian region. Multiple factors, including time spent in the current county of residence, religious affiliation, family ties to the area, and location within the Ohio Appalachian region, were associated with Appalachian self-identity. The prevalent Appalachian stereotypes of poverty and lack of education were not associated with Appalachian self-identity. In turn, Appalachian self-identity was shown to not be significantly associated with any of the measured health behaviors related to cervical cancer risk.</p><p>Overall, participants had poor health behaviors, including low Pap smear screening rates and high levels of risky sexual behavior. Thus, there is a need for future health intervention programs that address these poor health behaviors among women living in Ohio Appalachia. However, Appalachian self-identity, as measured, may not be an important characteristic to consider in targeting a population for such interventions designed to reduce cervical disease in Ohio Appalachia.</p> 2008-07-29 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1210958568 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1210958568 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Epidemiology
Public Health
Appalachia
self-identity
cervical cancer
cancer screening
risky behavior
spellingShingle Epidemiology
Public Health
Appalachia
self-identity
cervical cancer
cancer screening
risky behavior
Reiter, Paul Lawrence
Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
author Reiter, Paul Lawrence
author_facet Reiter, Paul Lawrence
author_sort Reiter, Paul Lawrence
title Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
title_short Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
title_full Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
title_fullStr Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
title_full_unstemmed Appalachian Self-Identity, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Women in Ohio Appalachia
title_sort appalachian self-identity, cervical cancer screening, and risky sexual behavior among women in ohio appalachia
publisher The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2008
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1210958568
work_keys_str_mv AT reiterpaullawrence appalachianselfidentitycervicalcancerscreeningandriskysexualbehavioramongwomeninohioappalachia
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