141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

289014
Associated factors in recruitment of hispanic participants in a genome-wide association study of colorectal cancer in California

Monday, November 4, 2013

Ugonna Ihenacho, MPH , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie Ly, MPH , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Diana Romero, MPH , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Julissa Ramirez , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jane Figueiredo, PhD , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Hispanics represent the fastest growing ethnic population in the U.S. and have been largely understudied in terms of genetic susceptibility to cancer. We are conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in the Hispanic population in California to identify potential genetic and environmental risk factors. Genome-wide association studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been instrumental in identifying a number of common susceptibility loci in Non-Hispanic White populations and an NCI priority is to extend GWAS findings to other populations to address racial/ethnic disparities in cancer susceptibility. In our recruitment effort cases are been identified using the California Cancer Registry, however, 10% of the cases received have been deemed ineligible and 20% have incorrect or outdated contact information. In order to establish more effective recruitment efforts we performed an analysis of demographic factors to identify which factors are associated with participation. Descriptive statistical testing using Student's t-tests and chi-squared analyses were performed to evaluate differences is in age at diagnosis, gender, year of diagnosis, geographical region, and language spoken between participants and those that declined to participate. Overall, respondents that indicated a willingness to participate in the study were younger (p <0.0001), Spanish-speaking (p=0.0004), and from the Southern California region (not including Los Angeles) (p=0.0016). In conclusion, the importance of bilingual staff has been is essential to successful recruitment methods. Demographic factors that may be associated with a patient's willingness to participate should be monitored in future studies to maximize participation in cancer studies involving Hispanics as participants.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Program planning
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the demographic characteristics of Hispanics most likely to participate in research in California Identify barriers in recruitment when using registry data

Keywords: Participatory Research, Hispanic

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I have served as the project manager on this study for the past 2 years.
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.