Providing a Culturally Competent Genetics Education Intervention for Asian American Prenatal Patients Receiving Genetic Counseling Services: Assessment and Outcomes

The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC), with funding from March of Dimes and Health Resources and Services Administration, aims to increase at-risk patients' understanding of newborn screening for early identification of genetic disorders prevalent in Asian American communities. Strategies developed to meet this goal include the development and distribution of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials, community outreach, and culturally competent genetics education workshops for community members and prenatal patients. Preliminary data indicate that the workshop intervention is having an impact on patients. Between October 2007 and January 2008, 60 prenatal patients between the ages of 20 and 44 were referred to CBWCHC's genetic counselor. 85% were born in China, and 86% reported having completed high school or less in terms of education. Data show that the prenatal patients understood the reasons for referral to genetic counseling (Fisher's Exact Test, p=.006) and the importance of genetic testing for those at risk (Fisher's Exact Test, p=.02). Significant differences in the patient pre and post assessment results appear to strengthen the observation that the workshops help raise patient awareness of genetic disorders and genetic services. Furthermore, given that the workshops and genetic counseling are provided primarily in the patient's native language, the health educator and genetic counselor directly observed that the patients verbalized their understanding of the reasons and need for genetic counseling, and self-reported an increase in genetics knowledge. Data collection is ongoing, however preliminary quantitative data and qualitative data will be shared.