Health Promotion in Cervical Cancer Prevention among the Yakama Indian Women of the Wa’shat Longhouse

• Published in: Journal of transcultural nursing 1999-07, Vol.10 (3), p.190-196
• Main Authors: Strickland, C. June, Squeoch, Marion Dick, Chrisman, Noel J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitude to Health - ethnology; Cervical cancer; Disease prevention; Female; Focus Groups; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Health Services Research; Holistic Health; Humans; Indians, North American - psychology; Male; Native North Americans; Needs Assessment; Nursing; Nursing Methodology Research; Program Development; Religion and Psychology; Teaching methods; Transcultural nursing; Transcultural Nursing - methods; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - ethnology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - nursing; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Washington; Women's Health
• ISSN: 1043-6596; 1552-7832
• DOI: 10.1177/104365969901000309

The purpose of this 3-year study was to gain a greater understanding of the importance of the Wa’Shat Longhouse religion to the design of a culturally appropriate health promotion (cervical cancer prevention) program with the Yakama Indian people of eastern Washington. This descriptive study involved interviews with 10 Wa’Shat members, observations, and participant observations of 30 community ceremonial activities. The framework of health promotion planning guided the investigation. We found that (a) program goals needed to be holistic and wellness oriented, (b) teaching methods needed to include circular symbols, and (c) intervention strategies needed to be linked to the natural patterns of communication of the Wa’Shat Longhouse and to involve elders. Storytelling, talking circles, and use of role models were all found to be important teaching methods. We confirm previous perspectives on the importance of religion, provide greater depth in this understanding and outline implications for transcultural nursing practice.