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336371
Biospecimen Education in Pacific Islander Communities: A Weaving an Islander Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, & Training (WINCART) Center Study


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Harold Custodio, Cal State Fullerton, Santa Ana, CA
Patchareeya Kwan, PhD, MPH, CHES, School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Mary Anne Foo, MPH, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Garden Grove, CA
Ashley Cheri, M.S., Youth Programs, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), Garden Grove
Mandy LaBreche, MPH, Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
James Pike, BA, California Media Academic Services, Burbank, CA
Cleo Fex, Guam Communications Network, Long Beach, CA
Victor Kaivi Pang, Pacific Islander Health Partnership, Santa Ana, CA
Dorothy Vaivao, Samoan National Nurses Association, Long Beach, CA
Vanessa Tui`one May, Tongan Community Service Center/Special Service for Groups, Hawthorne, CA
Tupou Toilolo, Union of Pan Asian Communities, San Diego, CA
Alisia Tulua, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
Sora Park Tanjasiri, DrPH, Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
Paula H. Palmer, PhD, School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Background/Significance: Pacific Islanders (PIs) in the U.S. have one of the highest rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes compared with other racial and ethnic groups. They are also less likely than other groups to donate their biospecimens for genetic studies, which results in a significant barrier in cancer and disease-related research. Potential differences in the genetic makeup of PIs necessitates education within this community and collection of biospecimen samples to further cancer research.

Objective/Purpose: The purpose of the Weaving an Islander Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (WINCART) PI Biospecimen Education and Collection project is to develop culturally-tailored educational materials designed to inform PIs about biospecimen donation and banking.

Methods: The education materials and collection protocols were developed using a community-based participatory research approach in stages with feedback from WINCART partners and the Project Advisory Committee (‘Imi Hale at the University of Hawaii, AANCART at UC Davis, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington), to ensure that materials were community-informed and incorporated lessons learned from other biospecimen education projects.

Results: A package of culturally-tailored biospecimen educational materials was developed, which included a short educational video, brochure, and factsheet, all of which aimed to educate PI participants on the importance of biospecimen collection and banking in PI communities. The educational materials will be tested in a pre- and post-test format. This education is designed to help PIs make informed choices about biospecimen donation and banking.

Discussion/Conclusions: As cancer research among minority populations expands, participation among PIs remains low. This project will add to the small body of knowledge that exists in conducting a biospecimen education campaign for PIs with the hopes of increasing the number of voluntary biospecimen samples for future epigenetic research studies.

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
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process that WINCART used to develop culturally-tailored biospecimen education materials. List three reasons for why it is important for Pacific Islander and other underserved communities to have the opportunity to participate in biospecimen research. Explain the importance of informed decision making in biospecimen research among minority populations.

Keyword(s): Community-Based Research (CBPR), Asian and Pacific Islanders

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I took a lead role in the development of the biospecimen education materials being presented. I have worked closely with the WINCART center for over three years on Pacific Islander cancer health disparities. My research interests include innovative health program implementations for Pacific Islanders, biospecimen education and collection in minority communities, and Asian and Pacific Islander community health.
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: 4078.0: APIC Poster Session II - Innovations in Addressing Asian American and Pacific Islander American Health