Raising awareness about physical activity’s role in reducing cancer risk: qualitative interviews with immigrant women and community agency managers

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To explore how to reach immigrant women through community agencies to raise awareness of the role of physical activity (PA) in reducing cancer risk. Study design Qualitative description. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with immigrant women and community agency managers to discuss the ideal design of an education session on PA and cancer risk, and identified themes using content analysis. Results Participants included 22 women (6 African or Caribbean Black, 4 Chinese, 3 Filipino, 5 Indian, 4 Pakistani) and 16 agency managers from across Canada. Women were not familiar with Canada’s PA guidelines, and few were aware that PA reduces the risk of cancer. All expressed interest in education about PA and cancer. Diverse women and managers expressed similar preferences for education session design including content (e.g. PA amount/type), format (e.g. in person preferred but virtual more practical), personnel (external expert plus agency staff), cultural tailoring (e.g. translated supplemental take home information) and reinforcing (e.g. follow-up with participants) strategies. Women and managers identified few barriers to participating in education sessions, chiefly, that women lacked time due to work and family responsibilities; and noted several enablers of participation (e.g. emphasize social aspect, provide gift cards or recreation centre passes). Conclusions We generated insight on the ideal characteristics of a community-based education session that could raise awareness among immigrant women of the importance of PA in reducing cancer risk. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and impact of PA education sessions designed based on these findings.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Cancer
• Prevention
• Immigrant women
• Education
• Qualitative interviews