Abstract
Authors
Margaret Woods, B.A.; Dina Jones, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Nicole McGehee, M.Ed.; Karen Crowell, M.D.; Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., FACS
Purpose
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is increasing in Arkansas (AR), but screening rates remain below the national average and incidence and mortality rates remain higher than the national average. To address these disparities, the AR Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention Program (CCSP) disseminated fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) to individuals in all five public health regions through partnerships (e.g. community events, primary care visits, community partners, gastroenterologists, and federal qualified health centers (FQHCs)). The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the FIT return rate by partnership type, region, and red county status.
Design Methods
The CCSP program data from 2016 to 2019 were analyzed. Univariate and bivariate (t tests, ANOVA) were conducted in SAS 9.4 to examine the relationship between the outcome FIT return rate (number of FITs received/number of patient referrals received) and the variables partnership type, region, and red county status (a county with a life expectancy ≤74.0 years).
Results
From 2016 to 2019, the CCSP collaborated with 72 partners with an average FIT return rate of 57.4%. The FIT return rate significantly differed by partnership type (F=7.41, 4 df, p<.0001) with FQHCs having the highest average return rate (Mean: 72.2, SD:19.2) and gastroenterologists having the lowest (Mean: 27.2, SD:38.4). Partners in Central AR had a significantly lower FIT return rate (50.1 v 65.0) as compared to organizations outside of Central AR (t=2.19, 69 df, p=.03). No differences were observed in the average FIT return rate by red county status.
Discussion/Conclusion
Our data suggest that FQHCs may be a highly valuable partner to work with to increase CRC screening in AR. Studies are needed to determine the reasons for lower rates of FIT return among other health care provider offices.
Grant Support
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program is funded by appropriations from the State of Arkansas, Arkansas Department of Health. Dr. Jones is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (T32 DA022981, PI: C, Kilts).
Community Support:
Arkansas Counties and Federal Qualified Health Centers
Conference/Symposium/Course name, dates and location where the work was supposed to be presented:
Xavier University of Louisiana 13th Health Disparities Conference
March 25-27, 2020, New Orleans, LA