204927 Outcome evaluation of genetics education interventions developed using community-based participatory approaches: Challenges and lessons learned

Monday, November 9, 2009: 9:15 AM

Julie Solomon, PhD , J. Solomon Consulting, LLC, Mountain View, CA
Diane Gross, MPH , Office of the Medical Director, March of Dimes Foundation, White Plains, NY
Jose O. Arrom, MA , Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stacy Eddings, PhD , Bach Harrison, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT
Jo-Anne Manswell Butty, PhD , Green Consulting Company, Washington, DC
Jesus Sanchez, MS , Local Evaluator, DWDC, New York City, NY
Shao-Chee Sim, PhD , Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Aida L. Giachello, PhD , Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center (MC 625), Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Diane M. Ashton, MD, MPH , Office of the Medical Director, March of Dimes, White Plains, NY
Penny Kyler, ScD, OTR, FAOTA , Genetics Services Branch, MCHB, HRSA/DHHS, Rockville, MD
  
BACKGROUND. The Community Genetics Education Network (CGEN) project is a collaborative agreement between the March of Dimes and Health Resources and Services Administration to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate genetics education interventions using community-based participatory approaches (CBPA). Four sites are collectively addressing genetics education needs of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities in school, clinic, and community settings. The goal is to increase genetic literacy in underserved communities, in turn promoting more informed health-related decision-making, increased dialogue with healthcare providers, and adoption of healthier lifestyles.

METHODS. Each site conducted a process and outcome evaluation study addressing locally-tailored evaluation indicators related to participant satisfaction, determinants of behavior (e.g., knowledge, attitudes, intentions), and behaviors. Culturally, linguistically, and health literacy appropriate instruments were developed by a team at each site, with input from a national evaluation team. Local evaluations employed mixed quantitative/qualitative methods. Local and national partners discussed findings, interpretations, challenges, and solutions collaboratively.

FINDINGS. Each site has shown some promising evaluation findings in relation to participant satisfaction and key non-behavioral and behavioral outcomes. The findings across sites will be summarized, along with project challenges and lessons learned in several key areas: development of effective health education interventions using CBPA; evaluation of such interventions; and the respective roles of program staff, community constituents, and local and national evaluators in multi-site evaluation studies.

CONCLUSIONS. Evaluation of this multi-site CBPA project yielded a number of promising findings, and some important challenges and lessons that can inform other multi-site/CBPA projects.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the theoretical framework that guided the evaluation of four minority-focused genetics education interventions that were developed using community-based participatory approaches. Summarize the tailored evaluation methodologies and common and divergent process and outcome evaluation findings of these genetics education programs. List at least three key lessons learned in the development and evaluation of multi-site/community-based participatory health promotion projects.

Keywords: Community Education, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a member of the project's National Evaluation Team for over a year and in this capacity work closely with all of the project partners on all aspects of the the local- and national-level project evaluations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Genetics Education Programs in Underserved Communities Using Community-Based Participatory Principles
See more of: Community Health Planning and Policy Development