264742 Raising Community Knowledge about Trials: Results of Community Bridges to Cancer Clinical Trials Pilot

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM

Justin Lucas, BS , The Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Melissa A. Green, MPH , Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Adebowale Odulana, MD , UNC School of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Margo Michaels, MPH , Executive Director, Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials, Bethesda, MD
Natasha Blakeney, MPH , Program Director, Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials, Bethesda, MD
Giselle Corbie-Smith, MD, MSc , TraCS Community Engagement Core, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Introduction: Cancer Clinical Trial (CCTs) accrual and retention rates remain disproportionately low among African Americans. In this study, we describe the pilot phase of three innovative community-centered approach modules to CCT education to assess the knowledge and attitudes of AAs prior to and following participation in these three modules.

Methods: 220 adult African American volunteers participated in one of three CCT education modules: a workshop about trials; a roleplay describing one person's experience with trials; or a Call and Response session reviewing myths and facts about CCTs. Pre- and post-test reports were collected and analyzed using McNemar agreement statistic to evaluate changes in knowledge and attitudes regarding trials..

Results: Comparison of pre and pot-test responses of each module indicate significant increases in participant knowledge about trials (p < 0.001) and awareness of CCT sites (p < 0.001) in their communities. Participants in the Call and Response and Workshop formats demonstrated an increased familiarity of legal protections for trial participants (p< 0.01; p < 0.05). Roleplay and Workshop participant responses showed an increased willingness to participate in CCTs (p < 0.05; p <0.01).

Conclusion: Despite measures taken to increase the participation and retention rate of African Americans in clinical trials, few clear advancements have been made. Tailored community education modules on cancer clinical trials represent a promising strategy to increase knowledge about the trial process and favorable attitudes about participation. Future examination of retained knowledge and research participation is warranted to advance understanding of their impact.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe results of three culturally tailored approaches to clinical trials education

Keywords: Clinical Trials, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project project manager for this study and am directly involved in the research concept, data collection, and analysis
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.

Back to: 4018.0: Invited Session - Minority Participation in Health Research: Creating Community Partnerships