@unpublished{pittir24546,
           month = {June},
           title = {An evaluation study of a breast health program for incarcerated women},
          author = {Briana McIntosh},
            year = {2015},
        keywords = {Breast Health
Incarcerated Women
Health Education},
             url = {http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/24546/},
        abstract = {The majority of women in jail come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, have limited education, and have experienced inadequate and inconsistent health care prior to incarceration. Lack of awareness of breast health information and services due to issues with health care delivery programs and funding within correctional facilities may tend to put women serving time at higher cancer mortality and morbidity rates. Therefore, programs tailored to this underserved population have a critical public health significance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Taking Charge: Steps to Breast Health promotion program at the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) in Pittsburgh, PA.  Pre- and posttest data were collected during three sessions at the ACJ and included 204 participants between 19-64 years of age. Data were collected via a pen-and-paper assessment tool distributed prior to and after programming at one session in four female housing pods at the ACJ on July 31st, October 30th, and January 29th.  The pre- and posttest established participants? knowledge of breast health information, likelihood of receiving the recommended screening within the next year, confidence in detecting and recognizing changes in their breast via self-breast exams, and confidence in ability to reducing risk of breast cancer through lifestyle choices. Assessments for women under 40 included questions relating to clinical breast exams, while the assessments for women over 40 included questions relating to mammography.  Participants under 40 (28.2\%, n=35) indicated that they have never received a clinical breast exam. Similarly, 30.0\% (n=24) of women over 40 reported that they have never received a mammogram. All findings were statistically significant and supported the hypothesis that after programming, participants would report better knowledge, self-efficacy and confidence in their abilities to know when to receive the age-appropriate breast health screening, to detect any changes in their breasts via self-breast examination, and to alter their lifestyle choices to reduce their risk of breast cancer, also improved likelihood of receiving a clinical breast exam or mammogram. Furthermore, this evaluation shows the feasibility and effectiveness of tailoring an existing community program for breast health promotion to a population of jailed women. }
}