HE32 - Health Belief Model Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening Beliefs Among Russian-speaking Immigrants in South Carolina
SCURS Disciplines
Nursing
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Russian-speaking immigrants from former Soviet Union countries face cultural and linguistic barriers, reducing their engagement in CRC screening. We examined demographic and sociocultural correlates of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs related to CRC screening in Russian-speaking immigrants.
Methods
Participants in this cross-sectional study were Russian-speaking immigrants aged ≥40 years residing in Upstate South Carolina (n = 167), who completed a survey structured using components of the HBM. We used Spearman correlation, general linear models (GLMs), and logistic regression.
Results
HBM subscales demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency (α = 0.70–0.92). Education and cultural background were associated with multiple screening-related beliefs. In a multivariable general linear model (GLM) with reduced analytic sample size due to sparse cells, birth country and family CRC history interacted in predicting perceived susceptibility (F(2,48) = 3.9; P = .027). Higher education was associated with fewer perceived barriers (P = .041) with a trend toward greater perceived benefits (P = .088). In a GLM, perceived benefits and perceived barriers jointly explained 39% of the variance in self-efficacy (R² = 0.39, P < .001). In logistic regression models, participants with low perceived benefits had lower odds of high self-efficacy (OR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.32], P < .001), whereas those with low perceived barriers had higher odds of high self-efficacy (OR = 2.70, 95% CI [1.12, 6.50], P = .027)
Conclusions
CRC screening beliefs among Russian-speaking immigrants were strongly associated with perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and educational context, while perceived severity was consistently high.
Impact
These findings identify modifiable belief targets that may inform culturally responsive CRC prevention strategies for Russian-speaking and other immigrant populations
Keywords
cancer, colorectal cancer, immigrant, Russian-speaking, minority, cancer screening
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
HE32 - Health Belief Model Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening Beliefs Among Russian-speaking Immigrants in South Carolina
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Russian-speaking immigrants from former Soviet Union countries face cultural and linguistic barriers, reducing their engagement in CRC screening. We examined demographic and sociocultural correlates of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs related to CRC screening in Russian-speaking immigrants.
Methods
Participants in this cross-sectional study were Russian-speaking immigrants aged ≥40 years residing in Upstate South Carolina (n = 167), who completed a survey structured using components of the HBM. We used Spearman correlation, general linear models (GLMs), and logistic regression.
Results
HBM subscales demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency (α = 0.70–0.92). Education and cultural background were associated with multiple screening-related beliefs. In a multivariable general linear model (GLM) with reduced analytic sample size due to sparse cells, birth country and family CRC history interacted in predicting perceived susceptibility (F(2,48) = 3.9; P = .027). Higher education was associated with fewer perceived barriers (P = .041) with a trend toward greater perceived benefits (P = .088). In a GLM, perceived benefits and perceived barriers jointly explained 39% of the variance in self-efficacy (R² = 0.39, P < .001). In logistic regression models, participants with low perceived benefits had lower odds of high self-efficacy (OR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.32], P < .001), whereas those with low perceived barriers had higher odds of high self-efficacy (OR = 2.70, 95% CI [1.12, 6.50], P = .027)
Conclusions
CRC screening beliefs among Russian-speaking immigrants were strongly associated with perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and educational context, while perceived severity was consistently high.
Impact
These findings identify modifiable belief targets that may inform culturally responsive CRC prevention strategies for Russian-speaking and other immigrant populations