Understanding Immigrant Women's Information Needs: Role of Acculturation in Breast Cancer Prevention among Immigrant Asian Indian Women

Abstract

Asian immigrants have higher breast cancer rates compared to counterparts in their native countries. Little is known about psychosocial factors pertaining to their breast health. We sought to understand how acculturation moderates the relationship between anxiety and breast cancer-related outcomes among immigrant Asian Indian women. Surveys and in-person interviews were conducted among a sample of immigrant Indian women. Acculturation was a significant predictor of information seeking, frequency of mammograms, and clinical breast exams. There was also a significant Anxiety×Acculturation interaction effect on information seeking. The relationship between anxiety and information seeking was particularly acute for high, as compared to average, level of acculturation. When designing interventions for immigrants, it is important for health communication campaigns to take into account two critical factors: acculturation and anxiety of the audience. Anxiety among highly acculturated women appears to suppress information seeking, and thus ameliorating their anxiety becomes key.

Keywords:

• Breast Cancer
• Acculturation
• Health Communication Campaigns
• Intercultural Communication
• Media Literacy

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (POP0402934). Ms. Marfani received support for this research as a trainee in the Johns Hopkins Training Program in Breast Cancer Disparities Research (KG090336) funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Farha Marfani

Farha Marfani (MSPH, 2011, Johns Hopkins University) is with the Social Marketing Practice at Ogilvy Washington

Rajiv N. Rimal

Rajiv N. Rimal (PhD, 1995, Stanford University) is Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins University

Hee-Soon Juon

Hee-Soon Juon (PhD, 1992, Johns Hopkins University) is Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins University