Doctor's Counselling Using Culturally-responsive Pamphlet Increased Mammogram Uptake Among Malay-Muslim Women in Singapore

A randomized control trial was conducted at Jurong Polyclinic with the intervention arm receiving the enhanced culturally appropriate intervention, and the control arm, the usual standard of care for mammography.

Inclusion criteria Malay-Muslim women aged 50-69 years who are citizens and permanent residents of Singapore without known history of breast cancer and have not undergone screening in the last two years will be eligible for the study. These participants were recruited from Jurong Polyclinic when they came for their chronic or acute care needs.

A written informed consent was taken.

Intervention:

The target group received "enhanced intervention" in the form of culturally appropriate pamphlets/flipchart (Annex 1) and doctor counselling. After the counselling, all the women in the intervention group were referred to the staff-in-charge for a mammogram appointment in the polyclinic where they will be able to make an appointment voluntarily. All appointments were given within a period of 3 to 4 weeks. They were also given a pamphlet on breast cancer and mammogram as reinforcement after the counselling.

The control group received the usual standard of care without the "enhanced intervention".

However, they received a "placebo-attention" based on the "Healthy eating guide". Patients in this group took their own initiative to make an appointment for a mammogram.

The counselling to both groups was of a similar duration to control for Hawthorne effect.

Data collection:

Enrolment of eligible participants was by successive presentation at the polyclinic. Single blinding of the participants was done.

Anonymity was maintained by issuing unique identification numbers to all subjects.

Data was collected at baseline and 6 to 8 weeks after intervention. This interval duration is due to limitation of the time frame of the study for the practicum.

The participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire available in Malay, at baseline, to assess their knowledge, attitude, misinformation and perceptions about mammogram. Assistance was given when there was any lack of understanding.

Both the intervention and control groups were advised to come to the polyclinic for follow-up at 6 to 8 weeks. The same self-administered questionnaire on their knowledge, attitude, misinformation and perceptions about mammogram and breast cancer was given to the participants for completion. They were also asked on whether they have gone for a mammogram in the last 6-8 weeks post-intervention. This self-reported mammogram was validated with the medicals records of having had a mammogram.

When the post intervention follow-up at the polyclinic is not possible, an outreach via phone call was done to collect data.

Steps were taken to minimize social desirability bias.