Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111102

Keri Jupka, MPH¹, Elena M. Andresen, PhD², Nancy L. Weaver, PhD¹, and Shanti Parikh, PhD³. (1) Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-977-4084, jupkaka@slu.edu, (2) College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100182, Gainesville, FL 32610, (3) Anthropology, Washington University, McMillan Hall, St. Louis, MO 63130

Community participation in the development of community-based research is important for the success of cancer communication interventions. While substantial qualitative research has provided theory-based and in-depth aspects of success and community satisfaction in community-academic collaborative research, there are no short quantitative survey instruments to measure community partner satisfaction quickly and on an ongoing basis. Using current qualitative and limited available quantitative literature, we developed a questionnaire to measure community partner satisfaction. The resulting survey uses questions with five-point Likert scale response categories, (strongly disagree to strongly agree), as well as a small number of open ended questions to measure community partners' understanding of: (1) their role on the project, (2) the goals of the project they are working with, (3) importance of the project, (4) confidence and trust in project staff, (5) satisfaction with collaboration, (6) cost and benefits of the collaboration, and (7) the impact of the research project. A graphic designer formatted the survey to maximize clarity and minimize response problems. Pilot testing of the survey was completed during meetings with two community advisory groups. Questions and the layout were revised based on the pilot. The instrument was distributed to community partners working with the cancer communication research center in various roles including community advisory board members, community recruiters, scientific advisors and others. Findings from the first phase of community partner surveys will be presented, with recommendations for improving community partner satisfaction with their collaboration experiences.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss aspects of community participation that are important to assess in community-academic research
• Learn strategies for improving community partner satisfaction with their community-academic institution collaboration.

Keywords: Community Participation, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.