Abstract ED03-02: Hoy y Mañana (Translation: Today and Tomorrow): A biospecimen community education/outreach program for Latinos.
Authors: Rodriguez Elisa M. 
Published: August 2014

Background: There is a significant need for cancer centers to work collaboratively with vulnerable communities to answer basic science questions related to how poverty, race/ethnicity and other variables impact cancer risk. The disproportionately lower number of certain subpopulations participating in clinical and prevention research has a significant impact on the representativeness of scientific outcomes and result in social and clinical injustices. Latinos are one of the fastest growing population groups in the US and mirror African Americans in their perception of equally high levels of risk for becoming research participants in biomedical research studies. The focus of this project is to build on an existing partnership between the cancer center and the Latino community as a way to increase more diverse participation in biospecimen donation, as well as test the feasibility of community-based strategies for engaging hard to reach populations in biomedical research studies.

Methods: A methods triangulation approach was applied to gain a deeper understanding from the community perspective that included key informant interviews with Latino community leaders (N=6), four focus groups (N=22) with members of the Latino community, and the use of an audience response system within the focus group discussions to capture quantitative data. Immersion crystallization approach was used by both coders to analyze transcripts and reveal dominant patterns and themes that informed the design of the community outreach program.

Results: Overall, the majority of interview participants had not donated any type of biospecimen, and stated the reason for this was never being asked to do so. Despite being unaware of the biobanking clinic in the community; they expressed willingness to participate in biospecimen donation as a way to help advance research. Focus group themes included: 1) Confusion on what biospecimen donation process entails; 2) Barriers to and incentives for participation; 3) Strategies and locations for reaching the Latino community. These qualitative results were used to structure the format of the community educational outreach programs. Three programs were held in the community (June-July 2012) and yielded a total of 49 participants for all three programs. Program size ranged from 9-22 participants. Over 73% of participants identified as Puerto Rican and reported a preference for Spanish language programs and materials. 51% of program participants donated saliva samples using Oragene kits.

Conclusion: Results from this study helped to identify the technical accommodations required to support the participation of this community in biospecimen donation for cancer prevention research studies. Comprehensive outreach and educational programs to promote more diverse community participation in clinical research must also assess and address the institutional supports and technical accommodations needed for facilitating full participation from diverse population groups.

Citation Format: Elisa M. Rodriguez. Hoy y Mañana (Translation: Today and Tomorrow): A biospecimen community education/outreach program for Latinos. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr ED03-02.