Utilizing relationships - the CBPR process of recruitment and retention within Pacific Islander churches and clans

Background/Significance: Pacific Islanders (PIs) have 50 – 86% higher rates of cervical cancer (with later stage diagnosis) than non-Hispanic whites in the U.S.. Few Pap test interventions target PIs and we know of none that foster on community social support to increase Pap testing.

Objective/Purpose: To describe the community-based participatory research (CBPR) processes and preliminary recruitment and retention rates of a 5-year randomized study to increase Pap testing among PIs in Southern California.

Methods: We use CBPR to test the efficacy of a social support intervention involving Chamorro, Samoan, and Tongan women and men to increase Pap testing behaviors. We utilize an organizational sampling approach to recruit Samoan and Tongan churches and Chamorro clans spearheaded by health educators from three community based organizations. Three waves of data are collected from all consenting participants: Pretest (before workshop), Posttest1 (immediately after workshop), and Posttest2 (6 months after workshop). Data collected includes demographics; cervical cancer and Pap testing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors; and social support.

Results: Preliminary analyses indicate our CBPR approach yields a recruitment rate of 89.6% (43/48) of churches and clans. Thus far, 43 churches and clans have been recruited, and a total of n = 576 women and men have completed pre and posttest 1. Retention rate for posttest 2 is only 47% (177/377). Culturally relevant PI CBPR recruitment and retention strategies will be described.

Discussion/Conclusions: We will discuss successes and challenges working within PI communities, and discuss implications for organizational recruitment of ethnically diverse populations into experimental trials.