Abstract A39: Informing community-based participatory research in the Pacific Islander community: The PIC Health (Pacific Islander Community Health) Study
Authors: Holub Christina K. 
Published: May 2015

Background: Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) are 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer compared to Whites. Even compared to other minority groups, NHPI disproportionately experience late stage diagnosis and death due to cancer. Cervical and breast cancer is seen almost twice as much for Native Hawaiian and Samoan women. Samoan men are eight times more likely to have liver cancer and five times more likely have stomach cancer. Lung and stomach cancer are also high among Native Hawaiian men and women. While these statistics are alarming for NHPI, we are just beginning to understand how to intervene to address cancer health disparities, especially in ways that are culturally sensitive.

Methods: Our first objective was to form a NHPI Research Advisory Board in San Diego, which includes Pacific Islander community leaders, members, and health professionals. The advisory board is central in building academic-community partnerships and in helping to guide and monitor research efforts in this study.

The objective of this project is to, first, work with the NHPI community in San Diego to gather information from key informant interviews and focus groups. This type of qualitative data will help us understand best practices for recruitment, culturally sensitive strategies for engaging the community, and to assess risk behavior and knowledge around cancer screening, including the identification of barriers. Second, with this information, we will develop and administer a survey and collect height, weight, and physical activity data from NHPIs. This abstract presents the qualitative findings, to date.

Interviews from key informants and focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed, and uploaded into ATLAS.ti, a software used for qualitative coding and analysis. Dr. Holub and one trained research assistant coded and extracted themes from the interview/focus group transcripts. A deductive coding start list was pre-determined based on literature. Additionally, emerging codes (inductive) were allowed based on the transcripts. Since “talk story” formats are important in the NHPI culture, we emphasized coding “in vivo”, by using direct quotes or culturally meaningful words. This will allow codes to emerge from the participants' own language.

Results: From January to July 2013, we conducted 10 key informant interviews and 3 focus groups. All together, participants included: 14 Native Hawaiians (39%), 7 Samoans (19%), 2 Tongans (6%), 10 Chamorros (28%), 1 Filipino (3%), and 2 Marshallese (6%).

Four major themes addressed reach, barriers, and potential health topics for a community-based health intervention in the Pacific Islander community: (1) Ways to reach Pacific Islanders: social clubs (e.g., Hawaiian Civic Club), churches (Samoan and Tongan), radio and TV, and festivals (e.g., the Pacific Islander Festival Association of San Diego); (2) Potential barriers to participating in a health program: transportation, family care, and not knowing you personally (lack of trust); (3) Ways to overcome barriers: personal invitations, build trust, work with community leaders, express why it is important to participate in a health study, and highlight benefits to the community; (4) Health topic interests of the community: diabetes, obesity, nutrition (especially portion control), access to healthcare, heart disease, smoking, alcohol use, and cancer.

Future Implications: The outcomes of this study will advance the field by providing essential, culturally-relevant information for addressing cancer health disparities in the NHPI community.

Citation Format: Christina K. Holub. Informing community-based participatory research in the Pacific Islander community: The PIC Health (Pacific Islander Community Health) Study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A39. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A39