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

Abstract #63778

Yvette Roubideaux, MD MPH, Lorraine Prucha, MPH, Raysenia James, and Mark A. Veazie, PhD. College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 500 N. Tucson Blvd, #110, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-318-7280, yvetter@u.arizona.edu

Background: American Indian and Alaska Native tribes are increasingly interested in conducting their own health surveys, especially on behavioral risk factors for chronic illness, such as diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine which technical, social and policy factors might affect the success of this type of collaboration from the perspectives of tribal chairman. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of tribal chairmen in Arizona to assess their reactions to a specific scenario in which a federal agency offers to help their tribe with a community survey on behavioral risk factors for diabetes. Tribal chairman were asked to discuss their perspectives on potential technical, social or policy barriers that might affect the success of this type of collaboration. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the responses for emerging themes by a team-based approach. Responses were aggregated under mutually exclusive response categories or themes using NVIVO software. Results: Nine interviews of tribal leaders were completed, and a qualitative analysis of their responses to the scenario and subsequent questions resulted in 15 mutually exclusive themes that illustrated important issues to be addressed in this type of collaborative effort. Conclusions: Results of this study identified important barriers and issues that are relevant to all agencies and organizations working on research studies with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about tribal leader's perspectives on research in Indian communities
• Learn about some key technical, social and policy barriers to successful partnerships between federal agencies and tribes working on behavioral health surveys

Keywords: Diabetes, Community Research

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.