Strategies to address barriers and improve bowel cancer screening participation in Indigenous populations, particularly in rural and remote communities: A scoping review

Health Promot J Austr. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1002/hpja.672. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Participation in bowel cancer screening programs is low in Indigenous* Australian populations, particularly in rural and remote communities. There is growing evidence of strategies to increase screening rates among Indigenous Australians, however there is limited strategies specific to rural and remote communities.OBJECTIVE: This review aims to identify strategies that may increase bowel cancer screening rates among Indigenous populations, particularly in rural and remote communities.METHODOLOGY: A literature search was undertaken which included peer-reviewed qualitative and quantitative articles of any study design, and grey literature. Evidence from New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia were included, and descriptive numerical and thematic analyses were conducted. The identified strategies were categorised using the National Cancer Policy Board's organisational framework.RESULTS: 19 strategies were identified from 23 included articles. The most frequently used strategies were recommendation from a general practitioner, culturally appropriate education resources, and non-responder follow up. Four strategies were specific to rural and remote communities including alternative distribution of kits and mobile screening. 13 strategies aim to address the Knowledge category of the framework, four address Attitudes, four address Ability, and six address Reinforcement. SO...
Source: Rural Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Authors: Source Type: research