TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions of Ethnoracial Factors in the Management and Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
AU - Orellana, Minerva
AU - Riggan, Kirsten A.
AU - DSouza, Karen
AU - Stewart, Elizabeth A.
AU - Venable, Sateria
AU - Balls-Berry, Joyce E.
AU - Allyse, Megan A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - Background: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous neoplasms of the uterus. Women of color, including non-Hispanic Black/African American women and Hispanic/Latinas, have a higher uterine fibroid prevalence, incidence, and disease burden compared to non-Hispanic White women. Therefore, understanding ethnoracial factors in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids in women of color is critical. This study provides insight on the ethnoracial factors and cultural barriers experienced by women of color in the management and treatment of uterine fibroids. Methods: Women were recruited via The Fibroid Foundation, a nonprofit that provides uterine fibroid support and education. Women who were interested completed an online screening survey. Eligible participants were interviewed via phone. Transcribed audio recordings were qualitatively analyzed using the principles of grounded theory. Results: Forty-seven women of reproductive age who were diagnosed with uterine fibroids and received U.S.-based care participated in a semi-structured interview exploring experiences with uterine fibroid diagnosis and management. Twenty-eight women self-identified as Black, Latina, or other ethnicity. Women of color reported fibroid symptoms that significantly disrupted their work and home life. Women of color also reported perceptions that their race/ethnicity impacted their uterine fibroid treatment, including negative interpersonal provider-patient interactions. These perceptions engendered feelings of skepticism towards the medical system based on historical injustices and/or their own negative experiences and led some to go without longitudinal care. Conclusion: Cultural and familial factors have significant impact on uterine fibroid diagnosis and management. Greater attention to culturally sensitive care and potential bias reduction in the treatment of uterine fibroids should be a priority.
AB - Background: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous neoplasms of the uterus. Women of color, including non-Hispanic Black/African American women and Hispanic/Latinas, have a higher uterine fibroid prevalence, incidence, and disease burden compared to non-Hispanic White women. Therefore, understanding ethnoracial factors in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids in women of color is critical. This study provides insight on the ethnoracial factors and cultural barriers experienced by women of color in the management and treatment of uterine fibroids. Methods: Women were recruited via The Fibroid Foundation, a nonprofit that provides uterine fibroid support and education. Women who were interested completed an online screening survey. Eligible participants were interviewed via phone. Transcribed audio recordings were qualitatively analyzed using the principles of grounded theory. Results: Forty-seven women of reproductive age who were diagnosed with uterine fibroids and received U.S.-based care participated in a semi-structured interview exploring experiences with uterine fibroid diagnosis and management. Twenty-eight women self-identified as Black, Latina, or other ethnicity. Women of color reported fibroid symptoms that significantly disrupted their work and home life. Women of color also reported perceptions that their race/ethnicity impacted their uterine fibroid treatment, including negative interpersonal provider-patient interactions. These perceptions engendered feelings of skepticism towards the medical system based on historical injustices and/or their own negative experiences and led some to go without longitudinal care. Conclusion: Cultural and familial factors have significant impact on uterine fibroid diagnosis and management. Greater attention to culturally sensitive care and potential bias reduction in the treatment of uterine fibroids should be a priority.
KW - Ethnoracial factors
KW - Health disparities
KW - Racism
KW - Uterine fibroids
KW - Uterine leiomyoma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85106240836&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s40615-021-01059-8
DO - 10.1007/s40615-021-01059-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 34013445
AN - SCOPUS:85106240836
SN - 2197-3792
VL - 9
SP - 1184
EP - 1191
JO - Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
JF - Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
IS - 4
ER -