Characterizing the Perceived Need for CRC Screening among the Elderly Living in Rural Areas in the Pacific Northwest US: Roles of Miscommunication, Experience of Discrimination, and Dependence.

Abstract

Purpose: Increasing the perceived need for CRC screening can facilitate undertaking CRC screening. This study aims to identify factors associated with the need for CRC screening in rural populations.

Design: A cross-sectional online survey.

Setting: The survey was conducted in June - September 2022 in the rural areas of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, US.

Subjects: The subjects of this study were 250 adults (completion rate: 65%) aged 45-75 residing in rural Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Measures: Perceived need for CRC screening, internet usage for health purposes, demographics, and intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and environmental characteristics.

Results: Perceived need for CRC screening were negatively associated with patient-provider miscommunication (β = -.23, P < .001) and perceived discrimination (β = -.21, P < .001), cancer fatalism (β = -.16, P < .05), individualism (β = -.15, P < .05), and dependence on community (β = -.11, P < .05), but positively with compliance with social norms (β = .16, P < .05), trust in health care providers (β = .16, P < .05), knowledge about colorectal cancer (β = .12, P < .05).

Conclusions: Our study showed potential individual and situational characteristics that might help increase colorectal cancer screening. Future efforts might consider addressing discrimination in health care settings, improving patient-provider communication, and tailoring messaging to reflect the rural culture.