Access to the classroom where culturally specific curricula may be initially piloted, refined, then finally delivered and evaluated for effectiveness has been essential for the development of successful school-based smoking programs for Asian/Pacific Islander youth. However, research from the Integrated Research Program of California shows a need for a culturally integrated approach, while allowing for the consideration of individual and cultural differences. Due to overwhelming workloads, school districts, principals and teachers have, recruiting schools is an arduous task. In many instances successful recruitment of schools in various ethnic communities is only one step of a very lengthy and complicated process. Despite the complexity involved with conducting school-based research, there is a paucity of literature concerning systematic solutions to the problems of recruiting Asian/Pacific Islander youth for school-based research. Gaining access to Asian/Pacific Islander parents, many of who are non-English speaking and come from multiple diverse nations and cultures, has also been a challenge to reach. As a result, we have created a multi-faceted, culturally integrated approach to address the unique issue of maximizing participation among Asian/Pacific Islander populations in school-based tobacco research, by working with educators, parent groups, community cultural consultants, psychologists, and social workers. The use of a complex flowchart to track all aspects of the research process has allowed us to identify possible problem areas at the school, community and parental level along with appropriate interventions. Developing effective smoking prevention programs for widespread dissemination, we strive to foster collaborative relationships with schools and parents in Asian/Pacific Islander communities.
Learning Objectives: To present strategies for recruitment and retention of Asian/Pacific Islander youth in school-based smoking prevention programs.
Keywords: Tobacco, School-Based Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.