Evaluating process and outcomes in collecting tobacco-related biomarkers from young African American children

Background: Low-income African American children are disproportionately impacted by secondhand smoke exposure (SHS). Collecting tobacco-related biomarkers is critical for needs assessments and to assess the effectiveness of interventions. This presentation addresses engagement of African American parents in collection of biomarkers from young children. Methods: A childcare center and parent advisory board were involved in an 18-month community-based participatory research (CBPR) project to mobilize parents against the harms of SHS. Community partners collaborated for 8 months on how to engage parents in collecting salivary cotinine assays of SHS exposure from young children. Events were held to assess attitudes and educate parents. African American parents whose child (6 weeks - 5 years) was a student at the center were recruited in biomarker evaluation from those who filled out a baseline survey (n=63). Analysis: Meeting minutes from the collaborative process and field notes from educational events/forums were thematically analyzed. Chi-Squares were generated to identify differences between parents allowing/not allowing children to be tested for cotinine. Findings: Forty-three of the 63 parents had children tested. Those who did not test had less friends/family who smoked, no smoking restrictions, and not interested in learning more about SHS. Parenting style, mistrust, open communication, and childcare center involvement were important factors to engaging parents in collecting biomarkers from young children. Conclusion: CBPR is effective in engaging parents in tobacco-related biomedical research. Efforts should address barriers for parents who do not self-select as well as to reduce mistrust of the research process and the collection biomedical samples.