Homepage > Research abstracts > Examining the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate approach to encourage preventive medical testing among minority populations in Israel.
Examining the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate approach to encourage preventive medical testing among minority populations in Israel.
Researchers: Udi Nisan1, Tehila Kalagy2
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Background: The variety of available policy tools, including "softer" tools such as advocacy and values-based motivation, on the one hand, and recognition of the effectiveness of a culturally adapted approach, on the other, have made cultural adaptation an essential element of public-policy development. Preventative medicine is one of the areas in which cultural adaptation of policies might have a significant impact.
Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of two versions of an intervention designed to encourage the performance of tests for the early detection of cancer, a general version and a culturally adapted version.
Method: The interventions were performed through direct contact (multiple times) with Ultra-Orthodox individuals who had not performed preventive examinations recommended by the Ministry of Health. The study population included 1,853 women and men. The women were encouraged to get mammograms and the men were encouraged to get fecal-occult-blood tests.
Findings: The intervention was highly effective among the men, more than doubling the performance of the tests in relation to the control group and increasing it even more among a subgroup with defined characteristics. Among the men, no significant differences were found between the general intervention and the culturally adapted intervention, except for a subpopulation for which the culturally adapted intervention was less effective. Among the women, neither intervention was effective. This is probably reflective of additional barriers to getting a mammogram.
Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of using soft tools, but also highlight the differential impacts of different interventions and the importance of understanding the full system of barriers facing the individual.
Recommendations: The assumption that cultural adaptation will lead to greater efficacy, in the field of health, has not been proven and it is possible that in fields that require particular expertise, like health care, a simple, professional message may be most effective.
Research number: R/267/2018
Research end date: 11/2024