Evaluating Communication Process and Outcomes in Collecting Tobacco-related Biomarkers from Young African American Children

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 communication processes and outcomes related to engaging African American parents in collection of biomarkers from young children. 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. 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). 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. Forty-three of the 63 parents had children tested. Those who did not test had fewer friends/family who smoked, no smoking restrictions, and not interested in learning more about SHS. Communication process included open on-going communication and relational factors that led to diminished mistrust and authentic engagement with parents in collecting biomarkers from young children. 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.