The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42921

Susan Koch-Weser, ScM¹, Sidney Liang, BS², Dorcas Grigg-Saito, MS², and Robin Toof, MA³. (1) Dept. of Health and Social Behavior, Harvard University School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, 617-522-8549, skochwes@hsph.harvard.edu, (2) Cambodian Community Health 2010 Program, Lowell Community Health Center, 15-17 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852, (3) Center for Family, Work and Community, UMASS Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01854

There is evidence that Cambodians suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the general US population, however little is known about the risk factors that contribute to these higher rates. The Cambodian Community Health 2010 (CCH2010) project in Lowell, Massachusetts, developed a Khmer-language survey to assess behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, health knowledge, experiences with health care, and the social life of community members. We wanted an instrument to collect data that could be compared with state BRFSS data. However, many standard BRFSS questions could not be directly translated; they had to be adapted to be culturally comprehensible. Careful attention to wording was necessary to assure that the words from spoken, not written, Khmer were used. A multi-step survey development process was facilitated by a researcher, but relied heavily on input from a variety of advisors. The following steps were taken: 1) initial questions were drafted in English, 2) reviewed by project advisors (Cambodian and non-Cambodian), 3) revised, 4) translated into Khmer, 5) pilot-tested with the target population, 6) reviewed by Cambodian project advisors and staff, 7) Khmer version revised with parallel revisions made in the English version, 8) Khmer version backtranslated, 9) Khmer and English versions revised to resolve discrepancies, 10) Khmer version backtranslated, and 11) Khmer and English versions revised to resolve discrepancies. An area probability sample was selected and adults age 25 and older are being interviewed in their homes. Results from the survey will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify three linguistic/cultural challenges when adapting survey instruments for research in the Cambodian community; and,
• Describe the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Cambodian community.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.