Conducting Community Based Research with Asian American Populations Beverly J. Gor,1 Janice Chilton,1 Richard Hajek,1 Mala Pande,2 Luceli Cuasay,3 Gayathri Kongovi,4 Lovell A. Jones1 1The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research; 2Department of Epidemiology; 3Filipino American Council of Southeast Texas, 4 Indian American Cancer Network. Poster # 178- WTP Future Directions For the South Asian study, we will be -designing and administering a health needs survey in the Asian Indian community -conducting qualitative data collection in the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan communities For the Filipino study, we will be - conducting additional focus groups with non- health professionals, students and community members - designing and administering a health needs survey in the Filipino community - Need to examine access to cancer screenings in this population. For both communities, we will - Publish reports to inform the community of findings - Assist them in applying for funding to address identified needs through culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate health education programs - Develop manuscripts to disseminate information to researchers conducting similar studies Results (Asian Indians) 4 focus groups were conducted: Males >55 years old Females > 55 years US Born Males & Females <55 years Non US Born Males & Females <55 years 10 Key Informant Interviews completed Diabetes, cancer, and hypertension were the top three health concerns Focus group themes include: -poor health literacy -acceptance of increased weight with age - inevitability of high cholesterol -acceptability of sedentary lifestyle -stigma towards mental illness -poor dietary habits -alternate forms of tobacco use, i.e., betel leaf MDACC Protocol 2006-0828: Health & Cancer Needs Of the South Asian Community MDACC Protocol 2009-0220: Filipino Health Needs Assessment Background The Asian American population in Texas is the third largest in the US. Census 2010 indicated that the Asian community in Houston/Harris County grew more than any other group (1) Relatively little is known about the health of the Asian American population In 2004-2005, the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research conducted the first phase of the Asian American Health Needs Assessment (AsANA), a health needs assessment of the Chinese and Vietnamese communities in Houston and its surrounding counties (2) Results of the study identified health disparities and grant s were successfully written to address those problems. Lessons learned are now being applied to conduct similar assessments in the South Asian and Filipino communities. Results (Filipinos) Literature shows cancer incidence and mortality increasing among Filipino Americans (3) 4 focus groups were conducted: Physicians >55 years old Physicians < 55 years old Nurses > 55 years Nurses < 55 years old In spite of high percentages being employed in healthcare, few have opportunity to influence cancer and health screenings in the community. Older Filipino healthcare professionals think most patients do not comply with recommendations for healthy lifestyle and tobacco cessation Getting to Know Asian American Communities Literature review of health and cancer issues Attend community events, observing practices and customs Identifying and meeting with community leaders and members Listening to their concerns and understanding their cultural perspectives Offering to share health information Memoranda of Agreement with community organizations Partnering on funding opportunities . . References Census 2010. U.S. Census Bureau. Gor BJ, Shelton AJ, Esparza A, Yi JK, Hoang TV, Liang, JC, Jones, LA. Development of a health risk factors questionnaire for Chinese and Vietnamese residents of the Houston, Texas area. J Immigrant Minority Health, 2008 Aug;10 (4):373-7. Chu KC, Chu KT. 1999-2001 Cancer mortality rates for Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups with comparisons to their 1988-1992 rates. Cancer. 2005 Dec 15; 104 (12 Suppl): 2989-98. Methodology Qualitative Focus groups Key Informant Interviews Identifying health priorities and themes Quantitative Developing a culturally and linguistically appropriate survey instrument, including relevant topics Administering the survey to a statistically significant sample Analyzing data with assistance of community members (interpretation of results) Providing the data to the community Designing appropriate interventions to address the identified problems The Asian American Health Needs Assessment (AsANA) study was supported by: