Design and Outcomes of a Community Trial to Increase Pap Testing in Pacific Islander Women.

Background: Pap tests remain an essential cervical cancer detection method in the United States, yet they are underutilized among Pacific Islanders (PI) who experience elevated cervical cancer incidence and mortality. This study describes the design, methods, participants, and outcomes of a multiyear (2010-2016), community-based randomized intervention trial in southern California. Based upon strong collectivistic norms, the trial tested the efficacy of a unique social support intervention targeting Chamorro, Samoan, and Tongan women and their male husbands/partners.

A Community-Based Approach to Biospecimen Collection Among Pacific Islanders.

This study tested the feasibility of collecting saliva samples from Pacific Islanders (PIs) via a community-based participatory research approach. Collection of saliva samples were conducted by trained and trusted PI community leaders at various partner sites. A total of 214 saliva samples were donated by PIs living in Southern California, more than half of whom were females between the ages of 18 and 35 years.

Biospecimen Education Among Pacific Islanders in Southern California.

Despite increasing rates of cancer, biospecimen donations for cancer research remains low among Pacific Islanders (PIs). To address this disparity, researchers partnered with PI community organizations to develop and test a theory-based culturally tailored educational intervention designed to raise awareness about the issues surrounding biospecimen research. A total of 219 self-identified PI adults in Southern California were recruited to participate in a one-group pre-post design study.

Decision making for Pap testing among Pacific Islander women.

This study employed a Multi-Attribute Utility (MAU) model to examine the Pap test decision-making process among Pacific Islanders (PI) residing in Southern California. A total of 585 PI women were recruited through social networks from Samoan and Tongan churches, and Chamorro family clans. A questionnaire assessed Pap test knowledge, beliefs and past behaviour.

Associations Between Women's Perception of Their Husbands'/Partners' Social Support and Pap Screening in Pacific Islander Communities.

Pacific Islanders experience high rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality. This cross-sectional study examined the extent to which Samoan, Chamorro, and Tongan women's perceived receipt of social support from their husbands or male partners was associated with rates of routine cancer screening- specifically Pap testing. A total of 585 Pacific Islander women who live in the United States completed a self-report survey.

Let's Move for Pacific Islander Communities: an Evidence-Based Intervention to Increase Physical Activity.

Pacific Islander (PI) populations of Southern California experience high obesity and low physical activity levels. Given PI's rich cultural ties, efforts to increase physical activity using a community-tailored strategy may motivate members in a more sustainable manner. In this paper, we (1) detail the program adaptation methodology that was utilized to develop the Weaving an Islander Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (WINCART) Center's PI Let's Move Program, a culturally tailored program aimed to increase physical activity levels among members of PI organizations in Southern California, and (2) share the program's pilot evaluation results on individual and organizational changes.

Financial Distress among Pacific Islanders in Southern California.

Pacific Islanders experience enduring and growing poverty in the United States, yet our understanding of their financial distress and needs is limited. Financial institutions, government agencies, and community-based organizations in areas with large Pacific Islander communities need better information with which to develop tailored programs, improve outreach and education, and improve economic security for these and other underserved populations. This paper describes the results from a unique in-language survey that asked detailed questions regarding the financial knowledge, status, and needs of Pacific Islanders, including poverty and wealth questions beyond those in the Census, in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties of Southern California.

Use of a community-based participatory research approach to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on biospecimen research among Pacific Islanders.

Objectives. The purpose of this article is to describe a community-based participatory research pilot project conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that Pacific Islanders (PIs) hold toward biospecimen collection, use, and banking, all of which will help drive higher PI participation rates in both medical and behavioral research studies. Method.

Eliminating tobacco disparities among native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders through policy change: the role of community-based organizations.

Although cigarette smoking in the general U.S. population has decreased considerably over the past several decades, prevalence rates among Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (NHPI) have remained elevated by comparison with other groups.

What promotes cervical cancer screening among Chamorro women in California?

Pacific Islander women represent a significant at-risk population for cervical cancer, yet little is known about the modifiable factors associated with routine Pap testing. Therefore, the aims of this paper are to report and discuss the known and unknown factors associated with cervical cancer screening among Chamorro women in California. This cross-sectional study explored the factors associated with receipt of regular Pap testing among Chamorro women age 18 years and older in California.

HIV testing behavior among Pacific Islanders in Southern California: exploring the importance of race/ethnicity, knowledge, and domestic violence.

This article presents an analysis of a 2008 community needs assessment survey of a convenience sample of 179 Pacific Islander respondents in southern California; the needs assessment focused on HIV knowledge, HIV testing behavior, and experience with intimate partner/relationship violence. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that race/ethnicity and reported experience with intimate partner/relationship violence were the most important variables in explaining the variation in reported HIV testing among Chamorro/Guamanian and Samoan respondents. However, when analyzed separately, self-reported experience with intimate partner/relationship violence was associated with reported HIV testing only for Chamorro respondents and not for Samoan respondents.

Promoting Breast Cancer Screening through Storytelling by Chamorro Cancer Survivors.

The largest Chamorro population outside of Guam and the Mariana Islands reside in California. Cancer health disparities disproportionally affect Pacific Islander communities, including the Chamorro, and breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. To address health concerns such as cancer, Pacific Islander women frequently utilize storytelling to initiate conversations about health and to address sensitive topics such as breast health and cancer.

A Case Study in Chamorro Community and Academic Engagement for a Community-Partnered Research Approach.

Objective: We describe the development of a community and academic research partnership, share reflections on processes for collaborations, and identify key factors for establishing strong and effective relationships to foster high-quality research.

Background: A community-based participatory research (CBPR) effort evaluating a community-based patient navigation program assisting Chamorro women to access breast cancer services in Southern California served as the foundation for the development of the community-academic partnership.

Methods: Using a CBPR approach focusing on active involvement of community members, organizational representatives, and academic researchers in all aspects of research process, faculty from a research university and a local community-based organization were brought together to build a partnership.

Hepatitis B among Pacific Islanders in Southern California: how is health information associated with screening and vaccination?

We measured Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission knowledge and self-reported screening/testing behavior among Pacific Islanders (Guamanians/Chamorros, Samoans, and Tongans) in Southern California. We also examined access and trust by Pacific Islanders of varying health information sources. We administered and analyzed survey data (N = 297), using a convenience sample in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties in spring 2009.

Promoting breast cancer screening among Chamorro women in Southern California.

Background: Asian American and Pacific Islander women represent a significant at-risk population for breast cancer, with their mortality rates rising while rates fall for all other racial groups.

Methods: This 3-year study employed a quasi-experimental design to test the influence of an intervention on screening rates among women age 50 years and older in Southern California compared to Northern California.

Results: Despite significant exposure of women to the educational elements in Southern California, the intervention did not increase women's knowledge, attitudes, or screening behaviors.

Developing a community-based collaboration to reduce cancer health disparities among Pacific Islanders in California.

Cancer is a leading cause of death for Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, but education and research efforts addressing the needs ofPacific Islanders in the continental U.S. is sparse.