261778 Qualitative Research and a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach – A Combination for Success in Disparities Research

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Molly A. Martin, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Sara Daleiden, MPH , Rush Medical College, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL
Eleanor Floyd , Rush Medical College, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL
Sandra Villalpando, MA , College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach is often useful in health disparities research and it is more frequently being applied to a wide range of study designs, although with limited evaluation. We discuss the expected and unexpected outcomes that resulted from the initial qualitative phase of CBPR intervention study.

Data are from a NIH-funded study to develop interventions for urban children with co-morbid asthma and obesity. Some of the community partnerships were well established while others were new. The initial goal was to define the intervention through a qualitative exploration.

Eighteen key informant interviews were conducted. Recognition of asthma issues by obesity experts, and vice versa, was not common. Four parent and three child focus groups were held. Grounded theory analysis was used. Most parents knew the asthma triggers and obesity risks, and were aware of the connections between asthma and obesity. Unexpected themes included challenges using food stamps and difficulty controlling the eating behaviors of children.

After the qualitative phase, discussions with participants clearly indicated that many new schools, service agencies, clinics, and community-based organizations now felt connected to the project. These participants demonstrated this by leading recruitment for the intervention phase through their networks.

These qualitative data informed the intervention design as anticipated. They also strengthened and expanded our community partnerships. Increased community familiarity with the study and associated trust was obvious during intervention recruitment. In disparities research where recruitment of vulnerable populations is challenging, the qualitative research process itself—not just the outcomes—aides in subsequent research.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the application of a community-based participatory research approach to various study designs, including intervention testing designs 2. Compare the expected standard outcomes of qualitative research to those achieved when a community-based research approach was used 3. Discuss the importance of a qualitative exploration and the inclusion of target population in the research implementation process in health disparities research

Keywords: Community Research, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator on the study, I collected the data, I analyzed them, and I was the primary writer of the abstract. I am a physician and researcher with expertise in health disparities.
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.