Pilot Research Project Research Articles

Socio-anthropological methods to study the feasibility and acceptability of the minimally invasive autopsy from the perspective of local communities: lessons learnt from a large multi-centre study

ABSTRACTThe minimally invasive autopsy (MIA), an innovative approach for obtaining post-mortem samples of key organs, is increasingly being recognized as a robust methodology for cause of death (CoD) investigation, albeit so far limited to pilot studies and research projects. A better understanding of the real causes of death in middle- and low-income countries, where underlying causes of death are seldom determined, would allow improved health planning, more targeted prioritization of available resources and the implementation of coherent public health policies. This paper discusses lessons learnt from the implementation of a Feasibility and Acceptability (F&A) study evaluating the MIA approach in five countries: Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique and Pakistan. This article reports the methodological choices made to document sociocultural and religious norms around death, to examine community and relatives’ attitudes and perceptions towards MIA, and to identify factors motivating the MIA’s acceptance and refusal. We used ethnography, grounded theory and framework method approaches. In-depth and semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with key informants, including next of kin of deceased individuals and healthcare providers, were conducted. Participant observation and direct observation of procedures and ceremonies around death were organized in all study sites. In Mozambique, MIA procedures were observed and case studies conducted. The implementation of this F&A protocol has provided critical lessons that could facilitate the future implementation of post-mortem procedures for CoD investigation. These include the need for early community engagement, staff training and preparedness, flexibility to adapt the protocol, gathering qualitative data from diverse sources, and triangulation of the data. We have applied a rigorous, effective and culturally sensitive methodological approach to assess the F&A of MIA in resource-constrained settings. We strongly recommend that such an approach is applied in settings where MIAs or similar post-mortem sensitive procedures are to be introduced.

Training Community Members in Public Health Research: Development and Implementation of a Community Participatory Research Pilot Project.

Purpose: Community-based training in public health research can build capacity for community-based participatory research (CBPR) and foster health partnerships between academics and stakeholders. We describe a community-academic partnership developed from a 15-week program, the Community Research Fellows Training (CRFT), designed to increase research literacy and facilitate equitable relationships in community/researcher collaborations and partnerships. The article provides a description of a community and faculty collaboration to conduct a participatory pilot research project that followed program completion.Methods: Four CRFT program alumni formed a community research team and selected a faculty mentor. After a request for proposal release, the team developed a pilot research proposal that addressed a concern for mental health among women experiencing economic stress. After completion of the pilot research, the community researchers elected to participate in two dissemination efforts, including a manuscript reflecting on their research experience. Team successes, challenges, and recommendations for future training are discussed.Results: Each member of the CRFT pilot research team reflects on how training prepared community members to conduct CBPR research through development and implementation of a pilot research project. Community researchers gained experience in grant proposal development, choosing appropriate health interventions, conducting in-person surveys and telephone interviews, and disseminating study findings.Conclusions: Providing training in public health research before community/researcher collaboration can increase community capacity to engage in research as equitable partners in research question development, study design, and data interpretation and dissemination. The project success suggests that this and similar programs maximize the potential of community-academic health partnerships to address health disparities.

Advancing Cancer Health Equity in Pacific Islanders: A 15-Year Investment in Cancer Research, Training and Outreach in Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. Associated Pacific Islands

Background: Pacific Islanders (PI) in Guam (GU), Hawaii (HI), and the U.S. associated Pacific Islands (USAPI) experience greater cancer health disparities compared with majority populations in GU, HI, and the U.S. continent. Social determinants including geographic, socio-cultural, and economic factors are barriers to health and health care, leading to late stage diagnosis and poor survival outcomes. PIs are also highly underrepresented among cancer researchers. Aim: The University of Guam (UOG)/University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) partnership aims to grow cancer research capacity at UOG, develop cancer health disparities research at UHCC focusing on Pacific Islanders (PI), raise awareness of cancer and cancer prevention in GU, HI and the USAPI, and increase the number of cancer and biomedical scientists of PI ancestry in the U.S. Methods: An infrastructure comprised of five principal investigators and approximately 30 participating faculty, administrative staff, and community and scientific advisory members, supported by funds from the National Cancer Institute and the partnering institutions, has provided 15 years of support for cancer research, training, and outreach designed to reduce cancer health disparities and advance health equity among Pacific Islanders in GU, HI and the USAPI. Results: Fifteen collaborative research projects have been funded through the partnership. Many of these projects have focused on the prevention of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors that lead to increased cancer risk. Prepilot, pilot and full research projects address cancer health disparities of regional relevance and global importance, notably breast, cervical and oral cancers as well as tobacco and betel nut use. A betel nut cessation intervention, the first of its kind, shows promising quit rates. This research has resulted in over 80 publications, 100+ abstracts, and 9 grant awards. The partnership has recruited and trained 26 underrepresented graduate scholars in cancer health disparities, including two scholars who have since joined UOG's faculty and are now independently conducting research, participating in the partnership as investigators, and mentoring tomorrow's scientists. UOG faculty and early stage investigators continue to receive mentorship and career development support. Outreach activities have contributed to the introduction and passage of significant cancer prevention and control legislation in Guam and Saipan. Outcomes are communicated through the partnership's Website, social media, and community reports and seminars. Conclusion: The partnership has significantly increased research capacity at UOG and cultivated interest in cancer research among underrepresented minority students at the partnering institutions. A regional research infrastructure has been established, and research findings are informing public health policy and planning. Resources have been leveraged to address PI cancer health disparities in GU, HI, and the USAPI.

US NCI's Center for Global Health Regional Centers for Research Excellence Program to Support Research Infrastructure on Noncommunicable Diseases, Metal Health, and Injuries

Background and context: To advance our broad, collective understanding of cancer epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Sophisticated researchers have an inclination that populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may hold the essential keys needed to advance our understanding carcinogenesis and other disease progression. Aim: To address this need, the US NCI's Center for Global Health selected 11 meritorious, peer-reviewed teams of investigators, throughout the world, to receive Regional Centers of Research Excellence Planning Grants (RCREs). RCRE centers are designed to focus the US NCI's ongoing, international research investments in cancer epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in places where international populations are essential to making progress for humankind. Strategy/Tactics: The RCRE program galvanizes investigators, clinicians, and patients in LMIC communities. It answers their requests (1) by including investigators from both high-, middle-, and lower-income countries; (2) by encouraging multiple chronic conditions to be studied together; and (3) is driven by the research needs to of the people living in the LMIC communities. Program/Policy process: Furthermore, the RCRE program smooths the way for investigators to plan centers that coordinate the cancer and NCD research needs by providing the investigators with protected time. Lastly, each RCRE team is required to complete a small demonstration project in the LMICs. Outcomes: At the end of the two-year planning grant, all 11 RCRE teams will have created a plan for a Regional Center of Research Excellence. Mechanistically, this plan will have several sections, that together will recount the center's scientific impact on the region. The plan will influence researchers, clinicians, patients, policy makers, and members of civil society as they identify the cancer and other NCD research areas pertinent to their community. Six of the 11 centers focused their cancer pilot research project on breast cancer. Five of the centers focused their pilot projects on cervix, esophageal, oral, prostate, or stomach cancer research. Cancer pilot projects ranged from identifying novel risk factors for liver cancer to investigating the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms variants with metabolic syndrome. All RCREs focused on a second NCD including 6 centers focusing on cardiovascular disease and 5 centers focusing on diabetes, injury, or depression research. What was learned: With a modest financial investment, 11 2-year planning grants can be supported. These 11 grants provide finance support for multiple principal investigators, at 23 distinct institutions. These 11 RCRE centers span 16 countries and 10 NCDs. Remarkably, during the first half of their 36-month project period, they have collectively published 10 manuscripts. The NCI Center for Global Health encourages the UICC/WCC community to become involved in this exciting research program.

Tilling the Garden of Joy/Sorrow: A Poetic Inquiry into the Rhizomatic Complexities of Growing into and through Collective Spaces

A pilot research project turned ongoing program sought to explore the experience of participating in an inclusive Campus Community Garden. In the confines of institutional research the project undertook a specific focus on uncovering the perceived benefits and barriers to participating preschoolers, older adults, individuals with mixed abilities and their caregivers from residential and intermediate care facilities. This paper describes a parallel exploration as an occurrent act of art making; an evolving rhizomatic process of poetic reflection on images and privileged notes from the field. In this work, the authors uncover the shape, movement, and colour of the joy/sorrow of tilling the garden through creative expression.

Abstract C09: Building capacity to conduct cancer disparities research: Progress and evaluation of NCI CRCHD P20 GUIDE Project

Abstract The NCI CRCHD P20 partnerships aim to support collaborations between investigators at institutions serving underserved health disparity populations and under-represented students (ISUPS) and cancer centers with integrated cancer research programs. The P20 GUIDE (GSU-UICC-Disparities-Education) Training and Research Program is entering its third year of collaboration between the UI Cancer Center (UICC) and GSU. Early outcomes provide key insight into best practices to advance partnerships and training to support cancer disparities research. Aims: 1) Describe early outcomes of the NCI P20 collaboration between a cancer center and teaching institution. 2) Discuss midway program evaluation of training and education core of P20 collaboration to guide current/future collaborations to support workforce development, training, and education. 3) Examine data from undergraduate students and ESIs from ISUPS to evaluate progress and early lessons learned from a P20 collaboration aimed to increase the capacity of the ISUPS to conduct cancer disparities research. The P20 GUIDE Program enhances the capacity of GSU to conduct cancer disparities research through mentoring, education, training, and a pilot research project. The training, education, and mentoring program pairs 6 GSU ESIs with mentors from the UICC and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) NCI R25 Program. The training and education core exposes undergraduates from GSU to cancer disparities research through mentoring and a summer research immersion. The capacity of the ESIs from GSU to conduct cancer disparities research is enhanced through one-on-one mentoring; writing boot-camps to support peer-review manuscript development; health disparities coursework, which in turn supports grant development, research proposal development, and collaboration on a cancer disparities pilot research project. During the summer of Yr II, undergraduates from GSU participated in a 10-week summer research immersion that will be supported through ongoing mentoring and collaboration. Progress and outcomes from Yr I and II specific to the Training and Education Core of the partnership collaboration were assessed to determine the feasibility of the collaboration in achieving the aims of the P20 collaboration and to identify lessons learned midway through the collaboration to allow iterative program assessment and adjustment to support goals of the NCI CRCHD P20 partnerships. Lessons learned from the Training and Education Core demonstrate that the partnership-building collaboration is enhancing the capacity of ESIs from GSU to conduct cancer disparities research and support the development and advancement of other P20 or partnership development proposals. To date, 2 of the 6 ESIs from GSU have received tenure and were promoted to Associate Professors. Two of the GSU ESIs have collaborated on a peer-reviewed manuscript and national conference presentations with mentors from the UIC R25 Program and UICC. GSU also received a diversity supplement to support enhanced research collaboration between a GSU ESI and the pilot research team. Four of the 6 GSU ESIs are actively taking coursework at UIC in the health disparities certificate program. Three of the GSU ESIs are actively working on grant proposals that will be submitted by the end of Yr III, and two of the ESIs have submitted grant proposals pending review. The summer of Year II will also yield pre/post program data demonstrating effectiveness of the GUIDE Summer fellows program in increasing the interest/knowledge of careers in cancer disparity research among undergraduate students at GSU. Year II data will demonstrate mixed-method data on interest, progress, and needs among the GSU ESIs in developing a cancer disparities research portfolio. Key early lessons learned are the need for additional funding, course buy-out, and collaborative teaching opportunities to allow the ESIs from the ISUPS to further engage in cancer disparities research. Citation Format: Karriem S. Watson, Alicia K. Matthews, Kent Hoskins, Rupert Evans, Ifeanyi Beverly Chukwudozie, Stacey Rhodes, Erica Martinez, Marian L. Fitzgibbon, Catherine Balthazar, Robert A. Winn. Building capacity to conduct cancer disparities research: Progress and evaluation of NCI CRCHD P20 GUIDE Project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C09.

An academic’s role? Supporting student wellbeing in pre-university enabling programs

Student wellbeing and mental health are increasingly a concern of universities. Most universities provide central counselling services and, in recent years, some have introduced wellbeing programs. However, an unrecognised source of support and pastoral care for students is academic staff. This pilot research project explored the experiences of academic staff in one university’s enabling programs in terms of the type of support academic staff provide (academic and/or non-academic), how equipped they perceive they are to support their students, and how this role impacts on them. The study is qualitative; interviews were conducted and a thematic analysis undertaken. It was found that academic staff viewed supporting their students as part of their role, particularly due to the diverse and complex nature of the cohort, and noted that students sought support from them for academic and non-academic issues because they had a rapport with them, trust and regular contact. A positive finding was that the academic staff had clear boundaries and lines of referral, which means they were not taking on pseudo-counselling roles. How equipped staff perceived they were and how the support role impacted on them varied depending on their teaching role. The findings in this exploratory study prompt a re-conceptualisation of the academic role. The article proposes a model of support that is holistic, student and course centred, and that integrates the centrally-located university counsellors. Furthermore, it posits that at the core of the enabling programs is a philosophy of care.

Discrimination in the sharing economy: evidence from a Hungarian field experiment

Findings from our pilot research project which focused on providing car sharing services to young people with different ethnic/racial background showed discrimination against certain ethnic groups. The research was based on a controlled field experimental design to examine the chances of rides being offered to racially different testers. The experimental variables were both race and gender. Creating altogether 8 profiles enabled us to test the interaction between these two experimental stimulus. The small-scale research (total N=160) was implemented in Hungary, in summer 2017 by interns of TÁRKI, Hungarian Social Research Centre. The forthcoming article shows evidence of ethnic/racial disproportionality in offering ride to the different testers by multi-ethnic drivers. High effect size was detected in case of Arabic male tester (d=.87, p=.009) and medium effect in case of the Chinese male tester (d=.62, p=.059). In case of the Russian male profile and female testers of any nationality we did not detect evidence of racial or ethnic discrimination compared to our Dutch benchmark profile, however it has to be noted, that the numbers of observations were very low (N=20 for each profile) in our field experiment. Although the pattern is not clear, interaction effect was shown between gender and nationality; as a consequence of this interaction, the Arabic male tester had far lesser chance of being offered a ride compared to any other combination of gender and nationality.

An Academic’s Role? Supporting Student Wellbeing in Pre-university Enabling Programs

Student wellbeing and mental health are increasingly a concern of universities. Most universities provide central counselling services and, in recent years, some have introduced wellbeing programs. However, an unrecognised source of support and pastoral care for students is academic staff. This pilot research project explored the experiences of academic staff in one university’s enabling programs in terms of the type of support academic staff provide (academic and/or non-academic), how equipped they perceive they are to support their students, and how this role impacts on them. The study is qualitative; interviews were conducted and a thematic analysis undertaken. It was found that academic staff viewed supporting their students as part of their role, particularly due to the diverse and complex nature of the cohort, and noted that students sought support from them for academic and non-academic issues because they had a rapport with them, trust and regular contact. A positive finding was that the academic staff had clear boundaries and lines of referral, which means they were not taking on pseudo-counselling roles. How equipped staff perceived they were and how the support role impacted on them varied depending on their teaching role. The findings in this exploratory study prompt a re-conceptualisation of the academic role. The article proposes a model of support that is holistic, student and course centred, and that integrates the centrally-located university counsellors. Furthermore, it posits that at the core of the enabling programs is a philosophy of care.

Development and evaluation of a capacity building program in gender-relevant tobacco control research: A Brazilian experience

IntroductionThere is an increased need for capacity building of researchers and professionals in low- and middle-income countries with evidence-based approaches across the tobacco control continuum, particularly with regard to gender-relevant strategies. We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a Career Development and Research Training Program (CDRTP) in tobacco control. MethodsThe CDRTP is organized into two modules: Module I is open to the public and provides an overview of tobacco control; Module II, consists of a one-year program with multi-mode sessions toward the development of a pilot research project. Activities are implemented through co-learning to facilitate cross-fertilization of knowledge, collaborations, and team science. ResultsBetween 2010 and 2015, 255 individuals participated in Module I with 57 applying for Module II’s selective process. Out of these, 35 were selected, 29 completed the program (83%), 21 submitted pilot research projects that have undergone review, and 16 were approved for funding. Pre- and post-tests among the 29 participants who completed the training indicated improvement in scholars’ perceived knowledge and skills on all of the components. ConclusionIn addition to attracting researchers and professionals who have not been working in tobacco control, the capacity building program has promoted knowledge, skills, and confidence among participants to pursue gender-relevant tobacco control research.

Analysis of Cross-Border Regional Homogeneity and Its Effects on Regional Resilience and Competitiveness

Abstract The resilience of a region may affect how it reacts to economic crises and exogenous shocks. In a complex study, it is not sufficient merely to have knowledge of all the macro-indices of the regions, but it is also necessary to study internal micro-structures. This study introduces the regional homogeneity index, using a novel approach and as yet unused indicators by means of the example of two neighbouring NUTS 2 statistical regions. The results can be useful for understanding the regions’ economic development. The methodology and indicators created may also be suitable for European regional pilot research projects.1

3D Geological Model of Potential CO2 Storage: Abandoned Oil and Gas Field LBr-1in the Vienna Basin

Successful CO2 storage in abandoned oil and gas fields, building the underground gas storages, and enhanced oil and gas recovery require a functional 3D static geological model of the storage complex with the real geometry and conditions. Abandoned oil and gas field Lanzhot-Brodske North (LBr1) on the territory of the Czech Republic was selected for the preparation of a pilot research project of the geological CO2 storage. It is situated in the Northern part of the Vienna Basin, close to the Czech-Slovak border. The 3D-model includes a separate northern part of the LBr1 field. The 3D model is designed to serve as an input for the dynamic model and makes it possible to experiment and test simulations of the CO2 storage in a more-or-less real geological environment. The model documents areal and vertical extent of the storage complex, geological structure formed by the Lab reservoir horizon, trap seal built by the overlying clays, overlying and adjacent strata, aquifers, faults, natural and artificial migration paths. Further information provided by the model consists of the reservoir volume, pore space, reservoir properties, fluid distribution, and saturation by the pore fluids. A simplified 3D-model of the reservoir overburden offers a basis for risk analysis of potential fluid migration into shallower aquifers.

Educating Producers to Systematically Evaluate the Cows they are Culling

Our research will assess the effectiveness of an effort to educate Ontario dairy producers to systematically evaluate the cows they plan to cull. Using a number of health and welfare-related criteria, our team aims to advance decision-making of producers regarding whether culled cows are fit for transport. Our goal is to educate dairy producers to eliminate the shipping of unfit cows, involve their veterinarians in the decision-making process, and to encourage development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for evaluating cull cows. 
 Currently, Ontario’s dairy industry lacks a systematic evaluation method to aid producers in the decision to remove and transport cows. Moreover, the dairy industry’s proAction initiative requires all farms to have a documented SOP regarding the shipping of cattle. Additionally the veterinary community is interested in being more involved in the SOP development and decision-making process on their client’s farms.
 This pilot research project will run from January to April 2017, inclusive. Twenty bovine veterinarians have been recruited to each enrol 10 of their dairy clients. Veterinarians will provide their clients with a Pre-survey, Cull Cow Evaluation Forms, an information package, and a Post-survey. The Pre-survey is intended to gage the knowledge of dairy producers regarding culling and shipping cattle and assess their current attitudes and practices. The producers will then be asked to complete an Evaluation Form for every cow they cull from the milking herd during the study period. A Post-survey will then be sent to the producers to assess if their attitudes and practices have changed.

Abstract A38: California State University Fullerton and the University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership for Cancer Health Disparities Research

Abstract Background: An important goal of the NIH is to increase the pipeline of investigators into cancer health disparities research. CSUF and UCI-CFCCC established a partnership to conduct pilot research projects in multi-ethnic populations and to mentor early stage investigators and students. The goals were to increase cancer health disparities research and encourage investigators and students to pursue careers in this field. Methods: The Partnership selects projects for funding using NIH criteria. In addition to scientific merit, they must include one investigator from each institution, relate to cancer health disparities, and describe plans to publish scientific manuscripts and to develop extramural grant proposals. An Executive Committee and an Internal Advisory Committee facilitate communication within the Partnership. An external reviewer evaluates the Partnership yearly using the Logic Model. Results: The Partnership has funded six pilot research projects and mentored four early stage investigators and 31 students. The project are: 1) Disparities in Social Support, Isolation and Coping in Cervical Cancer Survivors, 2) Equipping Medical Professionals to Reduce Treatment Related Anxiety and Increase Treatment Procedural Understanding for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Receiving Cancer Treatment, 3) Molecular and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gender Disparities in Early Onset Melanoma, 4) Mi Salud, Mi Vida: A Self-Discovery Tool for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors, 5) National and Local Retail Advertising of E-Cigarettes Aimed at Ethnic Minorities and 6) Collecting HPV Vaccine Decision Narratives and Communication Channel Preferences. Conclusion: The Partnership is achieveing its goals of increasing cancer health disparities research and mentoring early stage investigators and students. We are opitmisic that the national goal of advancing cancer heatlh equity through these efforts will be achieved. Citation Format: Sora Park Tanjasiri, F. Allan Hubbell. California State University Fullerton and the University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership for Cancer Health Disparities Research. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A38.

Abstract A83: Development of a New Inter-Institutional Partnership to Assess Health Literacy Disparities in the Context of Kidney Cancer and Smoking

Abstract Background: Kidney cancer mortality rates are significantly higher among individuals diagnosed with later-stage disease, but there are currently no efficacious methods for kidney cancer screening. As a result, primary prevention via reduction of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, as well prompt diagnosis following early symptoms of the disease, are key to reducing kidney cancer mortality. Recent research conducted at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIUSOM) has found that rural residents of Southern and Central Illinois have some of the highest kidney cancer incidence and mortality rates in the nation. However, this disparity is not fully explained by the limited number of urologists practicing within this region. Higher rates of smoking, higher thresholds for medical help-seeking behavior, and/or lower levels of health literacy may contribute to the increased incidence and mortality rates within this population, but urban-rural differences in these factors have not be examined within the region. Partnership Development: To address these critical research gaps, SIUSOM investigators with expertise in urology and clinical trial implementation developed a pilot research project with Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) investigators specializing in health behavior and health disparities research. The pilot project was submitted as part of an NCI-funded P20 center exploring the feasibility of building a collaborative partnership between Simmons Cancer Institute at SIUSOM and WUSTL's Siteman Cancer Center. Research Objectives: The goals of the pilot project are to assess potential geographic differences (urban vs. rural) in: 1) health literacy and cancer literacy; 2) knowledge of smoking as a kidney cancer risk factor; and 3) degree of bother caused by general urologic symptoms. During the development and implementation of the pilot project, the research team is also monitoring the progress and barriers in building new collaborative partnerships that span two institutions located approximately 100 miles apart. Research Methods: The pilot project is currently enrolling a total of 300 individuals attending primary care or urology clinic appointments in Springfield, IL (n=60); Carbondale, IL (n=120); and St. Louis, MO (n=120). Because the pilot project is designed to assess regional variation in relevant risk factors rather than the relationship between risk factors and kidney cancer development, all clinic patients must be at least 40 years old and must not have a personal history of kidney cancer. Individuals who consent to participate in the study complete a self-administered survey via Android tablet while waiting for their clinic appointment. Interim Findings: During the pilot project development and implementation phases, we have leveraged existing institutional resources, such as the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) system, to streamline our data collection and management across multiple locations. However, we have encountered some challenges in establishing uniform practices for clinic-based recruitment and enrollment, given the unique clinic organization and patient flow issues in each geographic location. Recruitment and enrollment are currently underway, and preliminary quantitative results will be available by mid-September. Citation Format: Erin Linnenbringer, Shaheen Alanee, Katina Richardson, Nirek Sharma, Aimee James, Danuta Dynda, Kevin McVary. Development of a New Inter-Institutional Partnership to Assess Health Literacy Disparities in the Context of Kidney Cancer and Smoking. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A83.

Bottom-up and inside-out: using participatory methodology to measure the social impact of a radio engagement project with young people of refugee experience

ABSTRACTThe divergent and complex nature of the Australian community broadcasting sector complicates any attempt to measure its social impact, as does the general lack of consensus within academic debates on how best to measure, record, and demonstrate the sector’s long-term effects (Jallov 2005). This article focuses specifically on the use of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes as a method for determining the social impact of community radio projects. It draws its findings from a pilot research project that involved the production of a radio series, produced by young people from refugee backgrounds living in Adelaide, South Australia, to investigate how community radio can positively contribute to resettlement experiences. This paper does not report on the findings of the research project itself but rather provides insight into how a bottom-up and inside-out approach, embedded within a participatory action research methodology, can be useful for developing key indicators by which the success of such projects can be measured.

Knowledge and attitude profile of hospital visitors towards blood donation in Central India

Introduction: Safe blood is defined as blood from voluntary and non- remunerated blood donors.1 Today, 6.22 million units (73%) of the 8.5 million units required in India annually, are from relative and professional donors who under pressure, can hide their high-risk status, including diseases in window period.[2],[3] Unawareness, misconceptions and myths act as hindering factors in voluntary blood donation.[4],[5] This pilot research project was carried out to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of hospital visitors towards blood donation in central India. Objectives: The objectives of this study were: 1. To know the motivating factors and misconceptions regarding blood donation in a selective population i.e., the hospital visitors. 2. To examine the basis of their decisions regarding participation in blood donation activities in the hospital and community. 3. To develop basic data for large population based survey of the region, for the same. Settings and Design: This was a case control pilot study carried out at Kasturba Hospital Sevagram, a rural tertiary care center of central India. Methodology: For this study 100 hospital visitors were recruited, of which 50 had donated blood in their life (consecutive donor cases) and 50 were non-donors (Age, gender and education matched controls). A questionnaire was developed by taking partial help of previous studies in Asia region4-6 and it was validated for our needs, by testing it on medical colleagues and then on random hospital visitors. A written interview was done with all the participants to assess their KAP. Statistical Analysis: SPSS 15 and Microsoft excel software were used to compare KAP of two sets of study population by using univariate and multivariate analytical tools mainly percentages. Evaluation of P value was also done by Fisher exact test/Chi square test/Phi value/Z test where ever appropriate. Results: The majority of participants were in age group of 20-29 years (44%) and only 2% participants were females. A total of 72% had attained education up to intermediate level and above that. Both of the populations had good knowledge regarding qualities of blood donors, process of donation and attributes of stored blood units, like required body weight, age limit, amount of blood drawn, shelf-life of blood and also some causes of donor deferral. But there was a general lack of awareness regarding minimum hemoglobin level required, types and uses of blood products, screening tests done after collection of blood. While donors had better knowledge of duration of donation process, non-donors had better knowledge of transmission of various infectious diseases through blood transfusion. Although, positive attitudes were found in both groups, however both groups believed that patients' relatives should be asked first, for blood donation. 62% donors donated blood only once, which too in relative-donor category, however there was a significant difference in both populations on willingness to donate. The most effective motivational factor for repeated blood donation was found to be possibility of future need of blood for oneself and own family; others being inspiration by television and friends, or a blood bank/hospital campaign. The most common reason for not donating blood was nobody approached them to realize the need of blood donation. Conclusions: Good knowledge and positive attitudes in both the study-populations are unable to motivate for actual blood donation. Use of social and mass media, creating donation opportunities and removing wrong beliefs in general population emerged out as workable strategies for increasing voluntary blood donation. Implication: Report of this pilot project will be helpful in designing a more elaborate survey of general population and thus a more efficient and targeted motivational campaign for voluntary blood donation.

Signifying Brno – creating urban space, shaping the city

Written verbal expressions displayed in urban spaces offer valuable insights into a city's identity from the perspectives of those who live there and have an urgent need to express themselves publicly but anonymously. In accordance with the bottom-up approach of linguistic landscape studies (Ben-Rafael et al. 2006), the paper presents the author's pilot research project investigating the Brno linguistic environment in which vernacular street signage found in the neighborhoods of Židenice and Střed are documented and categorized according to their functional, visual and distributional aspects. In addition to outlining the signage typology, the paper attempts to answer the question of how these messages and their locations reflect the reputations of the two districts and how they participate in the discursive construction of Brno's urban spaces.

Measurements for Tourist Space Development

Purpose. Disseminating knowledge on tourist space as a subject of study (ontological aspect) and methods for researching (describing and measuring) it, including paradigms and applied research approaches (epistemological aspect). Research hypothesis: the measure of tourism (tourist space) development is the achievement, within a given area, a state of long-term sustainability, defined as the situation in which the (widely understood) benefits outweigh (widely understood) costs of tourism development incurred by all (direct and indirect) groups of stakeholders. Method. The first part of the paper provides an overview. On the basis of the existing definitions and ways of understanding or delimiting tourist space, different measures (including measures of tourist space development) were distinguished and classified. In the second part of the paper, the results of a pilot research project investigating the state of sustainability of tourist space (tourism) in the town of Jastarnia were presented (case study). The research project was carried out using an innovative research method based on a model of sustainable tourism. This was a qualitative project and the obtained results have been quantified. Findings. The current state of tourism (tourist space) in Jastarnia was found to meet the criteria of sustainability, although certain sub-groups of respondents reported lack of sustainability in the component of costs. Research and conclusion limitations. The results of the empirical research reflect the current state (2015). The research project was carried out on a determined sample (it is not representative). Practical implications. The proposed method can be used for assessing the state of tourism at any destination. The obtained results can serve as a guide in the decision making process regarding the directions of tourism development. Originality. An innovative empirical research method has been applied. Type of paper. The first part of the paper provides an overview. The second part contains results of an empirical research project.

P.2.f.025 - Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as a predictor of depression

To analyze the characteristics of smokers treated with acupuncture for smoking cessation in Hong Kong.A total of 2051 subjects were recruited in a clinical pilot research project “acupuncture for smoking cessation”, which was conducted jointly by Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Hong Kong Pok Oi Hospital from January of 2011 to December of 2013. The characteristics of study subjects, including baseline information, smoking background, intention to quit and influencing factors were analyzed.The majority of subjects treated with acupuncture for smoking cessation in Hong Kong was male (66.7%), but the proportion of female smokers in this study (33.3%) was higher than that of female smokers in Hong Kong population (13.8%, P < 0.05). Subjects were at the mean age of 43.83 years old, of which the percentage of females aged 31–40 years was the highest (38.8%, P < 0.05). The mean duration of smoking was 25.49 years. The number of cigarettes smoked per day was 17.57 cigarettes. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was 5.29 points. Most of the subjects had attempted quitting smoking (81.42%). The confidence index (7.44 points) and the readiness to quit smoking (8.13 points) were high. Subjects quitting smoking were mostly due to health cause (81.91%). The majority of subjects were at the level of middle school (61.63%). The higher the educational level was, the lower the tobacco dependence was and the higher the confidence in successfully quitting smoking was. 50.27% of subjects chose acupuncture for smoking cessation mainly through friends, television and network publicity. Subjects who had received acupuncture had the highest confidence index, while those who wanted to try a new method had the lower confidence index.Acupuncture for smoking cessation was more popular in female smokers, especially those aged 31–40 years. The effectiveness of acupuncture-smoking cessation was most significant in the smokers over 60.