Objective: This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among East African men in Minnesota.Design: Six focus groups were conducted in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA. Participants were asked to describe individual and structural barriers to CRC screening, and discuss strategies that would address individual and structural barriers to screening. Audio-recorded conversations were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. The transcriptions were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Major themes that emerged on individual barriers were lack of knowledge, fear, and privacy.Results: Themes that emerged on structural barriers were distrust in the medical system, lack of health care coverage, and access to the health care system. Education, client reminders, mass media, increased clarity in communication with the provider and translator, and increased access to health care were frequently mentioned strategies to increase CRC screening in the East African community. Participants expressed favorable views toward the concept of patient navigation.Conclusion: Our findings indicate the need to develop culturally appropriate, multi-faced, intervention programs that are aimed at eliminating personal, cultural, and structural barriers.
Keywords: Colorectal cancer; East Africa; cancer screening; health disparity; immigrant.