The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57301

Sally L. Tenorio, RN, BSN, PLCO Cancer Screening Trial, University of Colorado HSC, C315, 4200 E 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80262, 303-315-9937, sally.tenorio@uchsc.edu

Background: The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center implemented a two-year program to increase Latino enrollment to reflect Colorado’s population.

Methods: A literature review and focus group input (Latino lay and health professionals) resulted in a multifaceted recruitment plan emphasizing personal contact with potential participants. Specific methods included: creation of a culturally competent staff; bilingual materials; community presentations; press release, radio, and print advertising; lay outreach consultants; and direct mail. These methods were used to direct potential participants to a bilingual recruitment seminar explaining the study and providing informed consent. Potential participants had the option to enroll through the mail without attending a seminar.

Results: A total of 1,046 new Latino participants (546 year-1, 500 year-2) were enrolled since initiation of program. Latinos represent ~12.9% of Colorado’s population. The enrollment rate of Latinos was ~3.7% at initiation of the program, and increased to ~15.6% for the program’s first year. Only Latinos were enrolled in year-2. The most effective methods were the recruitment seminars, recruit-a-friend, community presentations, outreach consultants, and mail.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that a specialized program emphasizing personal contact may be useful in increasing the enrollment of Latinos in clinical trials.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session you will be able to:
• Understand the purpose of PLCO and the reason for specific testing methods.
• Know about the 10 centers in a nationwide study of 150,000 participants.
• Know the methods of recruitment for the Hispanic population vs the general population.
• Will be able to see the differences in recruitment strategies that were successful and not successful.
• Verbalize the necessities of using cultural competency to build knowledge and trust.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Cultural Competency

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.