Healthy Colon, Healthy Life (Ruot Lành, Song Khoe): patient and physician factors associated with colorectal cancer screening among Vietnamese Americans in a county medical care system

Abstract

Objective: To examine factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Vietnamese Americans.

Methods: Telephone survey of Vietnamese aged 50-79 receiving primary care at participating clinics.

Results: Among 808 participants, 53% were up to date (UTD) with fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 19% were UTD with sigmoidoscopy, 28% were UTD with colonoscopy. Females were more likely to be UTD with FOBT (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02, 1.93). Individuals in the U.S. for less than 15 years were less likely than others to be UTD with any CRC screening (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44, 0.96). Patients of female physicians were more likely to be UTD with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15, 2.57). Ethnicity and language concordance were not associated with screening.

Conclusions: Many Vietnamese people are not receiving CRC screening. Women and patients of female physicians receive more screening.