Abstract B14: Strengthening CBPR collaboration between Pacific Islander community and academic research partners

Abstract

Abstract Community-based participatory research (CBPR), applied authentically according to its principles, is inherently conducive to empowerment and capacity building for academic and community partners by promoting egalitarian collaborations through all stages of research. During an intensive qualitative study exploring the intersection of HIV-HPV and cancer in the Pacific Islander (PI) communities of Southern California, we strengthen effective collaborations between an academic research team and two PI community-based organizations (CBOs). Responding to an NCI call for research exploring AIDS-related cancers, our CBOs worked closely with the academic team to examine HIV-HPV factors among Chamorro and Tongan young adults. Key informant and focus groups interviews were collaboratively chosen as the grounded theory research design. Community partners lead the process in: 1) determining most locally relevant and culturally appropriate point of entry for the study investigating HIV and its potential connections to HPV; 2) establishing and convening project specific community advisory board; 3) recruiting study participants; and 4) collecting data. The academic team conducted trainings on HIV, HPV, sampling, data collection, and analysis. Partners jointly lead dissemination efforts. The decision-making process incorporated culturally appropriate meeting protocols of sharing food and experiences through “talk story.” Through our successful CBPR collaboration, we ensured a shared discourse on cancer-related and comorbid topics, and we solidified and reaffirmed our relationship for ongoing and future projects. Thus, CBPR is critical, as the need to address cancer health disparities through collaborative research continues to play a key role in shaping the racial/ethnic minority and medically underserved healthcare landscape. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B14.