Abstract

MELCHOR ACEVEDO, Marco Antonio  and  CUNYA CURASMA, Yoscilin. Effectiveness of a culturally adapted intervention to increase adherence to colorectal cancer screening. Vive Rev. Salud [online]. 2025, vol.8, n.24, pp.1235-1247.  Epub Sep 02, 2025. ISSN 2664-3243.  https://doi.org/10.33996/revistavive.v8i24.446.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a serious public health problem in Latin América, especially in rural Andean populations, where significant screening gaps exist. Cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic barriers limit participation in early detection programs. Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a culturally adapted intervention to improve knowledge, attitudes, and adherence to CRC screening using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in a rural community in the Peruvian Andes. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study with a non-equivalent control group was conducted. Participants included 450 individuals aged 50 to 74 years in Huancavelica, Peru (220 in the intervention group and 230 in the control group). The intervention included educational workshops in Quechua and Spanish, bilingual materials, and patient navigation, all based on the Health Belief Model. Results: Adherence to FIT screening increased significantly in the intervention group (28.2% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001). There were improvements in knowledge about colorectal cancer (from 3.1 to 8.9 vs. 3.3 to 3.8) and in attitudes toward screening (from 2.5 to 4.1 vs. 2.6 to 2.8). These findings support the effectiveness of multicomponent, culturally adapted interventions in reducing health disparities. Patient navigation and bilingual materials were essential in overcoming access barriers. Conclusions: Culturally adapted interventions are effective in increasing early detection of colorectal cancer in vulnerable rural populations.

Keywords : Colorectal Cancer Screening; Health Disparities; Culturally Adapted Intervention; Rural Population.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )