Search

This paper describes the development and pilot testing of a 10-week cancer research education program for Navajo undergraduate students. The program was piloted at Diné College with 22 undergraduates (7 men, 15 women) in 2007 and 2008. Students completed a pre-post program survey assessing attitudes, opinions, and knowledge about research and about cancer. The program was found to be culturally acceptable and resulted in statistically significant changes in some of the attitudes and opinions about research and cancer. Combining all 13 knowledge items, there was a significant (p = 0.002) change in the mean total correct percent from baseline [70.3 (SD = 15.9)] to post-program [82.1 (SD = 13.1)]. The curriculum was adapted for a new cancer prevention and control course now offered at Diné College, enhancing sustainability. Ultimately, these efforts may serve to build capacity in communities by developing a cadre of future Native American scientists to develop and implement cancer research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diné College was established by an Act of the US Congress in 1968 as the first Native American tribally-controlled college. It is chartered by the Navajo Nation and operates eight campuses to serve a reservation community spread over 25,000 square miles. In 2004, Diné College became the first tribal college to establish a degree program in Public Health, and, in accordance with the college's mission, considerable efforts have been made to incorporate Navajo language and cultural materials into the teaching curriculum of this degree program. Materials are presented here that have been developed not only by Diné College but also by the Department of Diné Education (of the Navajo tribal government) and by the Northern Navajo Medical Center (Indian Health Service). These materials describe some of the core philosophical concepts, both in Navajo and in English, some of the complex symbolism associated with these core concepts, and some of the applications to daily living that derive from these core concepts. The purpose for the use of these materials in the curriculum is to ensure that students, who are almost all Navajo, will be prepared for providing Public Health educational and intervention services that are well suited to the cultural environment of the Navajo People. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Two Additions to the Works of a Florentine Dugento Atelier," by G. Coor-Achenbach in the April 1950 issue.

Purpose: Develop and evaluate a mammography intervention that provides hope about cancer prevention and treatment.Design: Pilot randomized controlled trial.Setting: Two communities on the Navajo Nation.Participants: Navajo women and support persons.Intervention: Both groups received standard care: one home visit discussing mammography pros/cons and barriers. The treatment group received an intervention based on Navajo language via an additional home visit with health education materials (written and oral) in English and Navajo, including a Navajo Cancer Glossary with a new descriptive phrase for cancer.Analysis: Between control and intervention conditions, we compared baseline sociodemographics; changes from baseline to 3 months on mammography completion and breast cancer literacy scores.Measures: (1) intervention feasibility; (2) self- and clinic-reported mammography screening completion; (3) breast cancer literacy.Results: A total of 25 participants were randomly assigned (13 treatment, 12 control), with 7 support persons in each arm. Mean age was 53 years, 90% had a high school degree or higher, 86% spoke Navajo and English. At 3 months, 44% had a clinically verified mammogram. Mammography completion was 57% among those with a support person and 27% among those without (P = .14). Intervention women reported more breast cancer beliefs consistent with mammography (P = .015).Conclusions: Increases in breast cancer beliefs consistent with mammography show promise. Findings highlight a need to tailor education materials to Navajo culture/language and focus on enhancing support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]