One of the leading causes of mortality for African-American women is breast cancer. The national breast cancer mortality rate for African-American women is 28.0 per 100,000. However, African-American women residing in Northwest Louisiana have a breast cancer mortality rate of 34.5 per 100,000 (American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute; Landis, Murry, Boldern & Wingo, 1998). This is the fourth highest of all women living in the United States (Early Cancer Detection Program, Annual Report, 1999). Breast cancer mortality is correlated to the stage at diagnosis. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the more likely women can survive the disease (Davis, Axelrod, Osborne & Telang, 1997). African-American women are frequently diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage (Phillips, Cohen, & Moses, 1999). The frequent advanced stage diagnosis may be due to African-American women breast cancer screening practices. When done correctly and as recommended, breast cancer screening can help women detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it is most treatable. Since African-American women residing in Northwest Louisiana have the fourth highest national mortality rate, and little is known about their compliance with the recommendations of the American Cancer Society regarding breast cancer screening, there is a need to identify these practices of African-American women in Northwest Louisiana.The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between select variables and breast cancer screening practice. A questionnaire was used to gather information from a convenient sample of 273 African-American women recruited from two sites located in Northwest Louisiana -- Grambling State University and the Willis-Knighton Neighborhood Clinic. The questionnaire was used to gather information about: demographics, knowledge, and individual breast cancer risk factors (age of menarche, full term pregnancy, history of breast condition or disease, type of breast condition or disease, age when gave birth to first child, menopause, age menopause began). Andersen's theoretical framework served as the guiding theory for the study. The hypotheses were analyzed by the chi square test of independence and logistic regression.Results from the chi-square test of independence indicated that breast cancer screening is dependent upon age, education, income, age when gave birth to first child, menopause, and age menopause began. In contrast, breast cancer screening is independent of breast cancer knowledge, age of menarche, full term pregnancy, history of breast condition or disease, type of breast condition or disease, and family history of breast cancer. Logistic regression was used to predict the odds of breast cancer screening compliance by the women in this study. The analysis found that having an annual income of 25,000 - 39,999 as the strongest income predictor of non-compliance. Logistic regression analysis found that having a Master's degree was the strongest educational attainment predictor of non-compliance. / Ph. D.

Since the early 1980's, when HIV was first recognized in the U.S., the HIV disease epidemic has undergone many changes. It is no longer considered a disease of gay men, but is now the fourth leading cause of death in women aged 25 to 44. Worldwide, HIV transmission through vaginal or anal intercourse among heterosexuals has increased rapidly, and women are at a greater risk of infection from vaginal intercourse than are men. In particular, African American women comprise a large percentage of the population with HIV disease, raising an important question: Why are a disproportionate number of African American women infected with HIV? The purpose of this study is to examine selected factors that have been associated with non-compliant behavior in HIV prevention in African American women, such as partner influences, gender-related factors, and acculturation. The methodology used is a literature review of relevant research articles and scholarly works published between the years 1990 and 1999.

Domestic violence has been ingrained into the fabric of American culture. In the past, such violence against women has been overlooked by society, even condoned. It has gone from being a private problem to a social ill. Its affect has reached epidemic proportions in the United States of America. Although men and women are victims of this violence, women overwhelmingly comprise the majority of those who are victimized. Among these women, African American women experience higher rates of victimization than women from other ethnic groups. This thesis defines and discusses domestic violence in the context of the dynamics of violent relationships, the functions of violence, the characteristics of abusers and victims, the causes of violence, and its prevalence in the United States. It also highlights domestic violence from the unique prospective of African American women. Particular emphasis was focused toward the experiences of African American women in the United States of America, And the impact these experiences have had on their romantic relationships. Data obtained from 36 African American college students was used to highlight information presented in the literature.

For the past 35 years, borderland industry has opened employment opportunities for women in the community of Nogales, Arizona. However, the expansion of free trade with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has aggravated economic instability by promoting the flexible use of labor, a practice that women have increasingly accommodated. Case studies of women engaged in the retail and maquiladora industries illustrate the interplay between flexible employment, reproduction, and education. These cases suggest that a strong connection between flexible employment and reproduction is sustained by ideologies that see these as mutually complimentary. At the same time, the connections between education and employment and reproduction activities are notably absent or weak. We argue that investing in the education of women, which could lead to more predictable employment, is in this way subverted by regional economic instability. The alienation of education from the other two realms of women’s activities works to the advantage of flexible employment practices and advances the underdevelopment of human capital on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cervical cancer incidence in the United States has declined for the past 40 years, yet the odds of developing cervical cancer is much higher among marginalized women, particularly African American and Hispanic American women. Although preventable through vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) prior to infection, uptake and completion rates of the vaccine among African American and Hispanic American women are low. The purpose of the study was to determine if a significant relationship existed between the health literacy levels of African American and Hispanic American women, ages 18-26, and the low HPV vaccination uptake. The integrated behavioral model, which identifies factors antecedent to behavioral intention, as well as the motivating variables, was the theoretical framework. Secondary data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey were used to examine the relationships among the variables of interest. A logistic regression (n = 2093) showed that health literacy is a strong determinant of HPV vaccine behavior intention, and that there was a significant relationship between health literacy and HPV vaccine initiation. Health literacy mediated the relationships between the motivating variables and the vaccine uptake, and completely mediated the relationship between ethnicity and HPV vaccine uptake. Health literacy did not independently predict the vaccine initiation. The findings from this study might (a) provide public health practitioners with enough information to guide health promotion activities to increase the vaccination coverage to the level expected in Healthy People 2020, (b) save economic resources through cancer prevention, and (c) improve lives by curbing the excess deaths among racial minority women.

This study investigates the phenomenon of intersectionality between race and gender on the lived experiences of African American female broadcast journalists in the state of Florida. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted and compared to determine reoccurring themes taking place throughout each participant’s experience in broadcast journalism as a result of their race and gender. Race, appearance, racial mentoring, and professional advancement were the common themes that emerged in each interview. Although there is a significant amount of research on African American women in the workplace, there is a greater need to focus on the field of broadcast journalism and the African American women who work in this field. Previous research on African American women in the workplace shows that women of color experience different work environments and treatment. The findings suggest African American female broadcast journalists experience a different work environment compared to their colleagues due to the intersection of race and gender. This study investigates the phenomenon of intersectionality between race and gender on the lived experiences of African American female broadcast journalists in the state of Florida. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted and compared to determine reoccurring themes taking place throughout each participant’s experience in broadcast journalism as a result of their race and gender. Race, appearance, racial mentoring, and professional advancement were the common themes that emerged in each interview. Although there is a significant amount of research on African American women in the workplace, there is a greater need to focus on the field of broadcast journalism and the African American women who work in this field. Previous research on African American women in the workplace shows that women of color experience different work environments and treatment. The findings suggest African American female broadcast journalists experience a different work environment compared to their colleagues due to the intersection of race and gender. This study investigates the phenomenon of intersectionality between race and gender on the lived experiences of African American female broadcast journalists in the state of Florida. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted and compared to determine reoccurring themes taking place throughout each participant’s experience in broadcast journalism as a result of their race and gender. Race, appearance, racial mentoring, and professional advancement were the common themes that emerged in each interview. Although there is a significant amount of research on African American women in the workplace, there is a greater need to focus on the field of broadcast journalism and the African American women who work in this field. Previous research on African American women in the workplace shows that women of color experience different work environments and treatment. The findings suggest African American female broadcast journalists experience a different work environment compared to their colleagues due to the intersection of race and gender. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study is intended to provide information about the situation of first-generation Vietnamese women to the IRCO Parent and Child Program Department in Portland, Oregon. Nutrition intervention and food assistance currently offered to Vietnamese women enrolled in this program is the focus of the study. The women interviewed characterize themselves and their eating patterns as Vietnamese, though many changes in practice and concept reflect those of American culture. The study reveals several categories of food acculturation that act both separately and influence the development of each other. These categories are diet, taste, solutions, and concepts. Recommendations are made according to the categories and process of acculturation demonstrated by the participating women and the effects of this process on the health of the women and their families. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-169).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Ronet Bachman, Dept. of Sociology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.