12) Comparison of Resources and Community Beliefs in High and Low Cervical Cancer Mortality Counties
        Emily Cantrell, Shannon Hansen, and Kelly McGuire

     SUMMARY
     This descriptive study compared factors associated with high and low cervical cancer mortality in contiguous rural Appalachian counties in three states. Investigators identified and documented community perspectives about cervical cancer in geographically proximate counties matched by “high” and “low” cervical cancer mortality rates in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Secondary data sources were compared (e.g., vital health and demographic reports), health services resource inventories completed, key informant interviews with health professionals completed and mixed community focus groups conducted. Amongst pairs of counties, secondary community data was not found to be a consistent predictor of cervical cancer mortality in Appalachian regions. In all three states, community members and health care providers placed blame on external (e.g., environmental, etc.) factors in counties with high mortality rates.

     FINDINGS
     12.1   We concluded that amongst our pairs of counties, secondary community data is not a consistent predictor of cervical cancer mortality in Appalachian regions. After examination of available secondary community data, we were unable to prove our original assumption those communities with low SES, high poverty, and high STD rates would have higher cervical cancer mortality rates than counties with high SES, low poverty, and low STD rates.
     12.2   In all three states, both high and low cervical cancer mortality counties followed identical protocol for the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer, though the ways in which they are executed varied.
     12.3   In all three states, health care providers in communities with high mortality rates placed the blame on external factors.

Comparison of Resources Article (PDF File)

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