Cancer risk factors of Vietnamese Americans in rural south Alabama

Purpose: To identify aggregate-specific cancer risk factors of Vietnamese Americans in south Alabama and present a comparison with available national data and Healthy People 2 010 targets. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A convenience sample of 284 Vietnamese community residents 18 years and over completed an investigator-designed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive correlational analysis. Findings: Aggregate-specific cancer risk factors included high prevalence of hepatitis, high smoking and drinking rates in men, extended sun exposure without protection, knowledge deficit of cancer and cancer screenings, and low cancer screening rates. Educational level was significantly related to many cancer risk factors. Conclusions: Significant cancer risk factors exist in the target population in comparison to available national data and Healthy People 2010 targets. More focused cancer prevention and early detection efforts should be initiated for this underserved population. Future research is needed to (a) determine the effect of acculturation on cancer risk factors and (b) develop culturally appropriate interventions to improve the effectiveness of cancer prevention and early detection interventions in this subgroup of Asian Americans.