Assessing researchers\u27 capabilities, opportunities, and motivation to conduct equity-oriented dissemination and implementation research, an exploratory cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: A recent paradigm shift has led to an explicit focus on enhancing health equity through equity-oriented dissemination and implementation (D&I) research. However, the integration and bidirectional learning across these two fields is still in its infancy and siloed. This exploratory study aimed to examine participants\u27 perceived capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to conduct equity-oriented D&I research. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional survey distributed online from December 2020 to April 2021. Participants were recruited at either D&I or health disparities-oriented conferences, meetings, through social media, or personal outreach via emails. Informed by the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model (COM-B), the survey queried respondents about different aspects of engaging in and conducting equity-oriented D&I research. All analyses were conducted in SPSS Version 27.0. RESULTS: A total of 180 participants responded to the survey. Most participants were women (81.7%), white (66.1%), academics (78.9%), and faculty members (53.9%). Many reported they were advanced (36.7%) or advanced beginners (27.8%) in the D&I field, and a substantial proportion (37.8%) reported being novice in D&I research that focused on health equity. Participants reported high motivation (e.g., 62.8% were motivated to apply theories, models, frameworks for promoting health equity in D&I research), but low capability to conduct equity-oriented D&I research (e.g., 5% had the information needed for promoting health equity in D&I research). Most participants (62.2%) reported not having used measures to examine equity in their D&I projects, and for those who did use measures, they mainly used individual-level measures (vs. organizational- or structural-level measures). When asked about factors that could influence their ability to conduct equity-oriented D&I research, 44.4% reported not having the skills necessary, and 32.2% stated difficulties in receiving funding for equity-oriented D&I research. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide empirical insight into the perspectives of researchers from different backgrounds on what is needed to conduct equity-oriented D&I research. These data suggest the need for a multi-pronged approach to enhance the capability and opportunities for conducting equity-oriented D&I work, such as: training specifically in equity-oriented D&I, collaboration between D&I researchers with individuals with expertise and lived experience with health equity research, funding for equity-oriented D&I research, and recognition of the value of community engaged research in promotion packages

Transforming the field: the role of academic health centers in promoting and sustaining equity based community engaged research

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) and community engaged research (CEnR) are key to promoting community and patient engagement in actionable evidence-based strategies to improve research for health equity. Rapid growth of CBPR/CEnR research projects have led to the broad adoption of partnering principles in community-academic partnerships and among some health and academic organizations. Yet, transformation of principles into best practices that foster trust, shared power, and equity outcomes still remain fragmented, are dependent on individuals with long term projects, or are non-existent. This paper describes how we designed our Engage for Equity PLUS intervention that leverages the leadership and membership of champion teams (including community-engaged faculty, community partners and patient advocates) to improve organizational policies and practices to support equity based CBPR/CEnR

Successful Nonoperative Management of High-Grade Blunt Renal Injuries

Current management of high-grade blunt renal trauma favors a nonoperative approach when possible. We performed a retrospective study of high grade blunt renal injuries at our level I trauma center to determine the indications and success of nonoperative management (NOM). 47 patients with blunt grade IV or V injuries were identified between October 2004 and December 2013. Immediate operative patients (IO) were compared to nonoperatively managed (NOM). Of the 47 patients, 3 (6.4%) were IO and 44 (95.6%) NOM. IO patients had a higher heart rate on admission, 133 versus 100 in NOM (P=0.01). IO patients had a higher rate of injury to the renal vein or artery (100%) compared to NOM group (18%) (P=0.01). NOM failed in 3 of 44 patients (6.8%). Two required nonemergent nephrectomy and one required emergent exploration resulting in nephrectomy. Six NOM patients had kidney-related complications (13.6%). The renal salvage rate for the entire cohort was 87.2% and 93.2% for NOM. Nonoperative management for hemodynamically stable patients with high-grade blunt renal trauma is safe with a low risk of complications. Management decisions should consider hemodynamic status and visualization of active renal bleeding as well as injury grade in determining operative management

Implementing interventions to start HPV vaccination at age 9: Using the evidence we have

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is routinely recommended for adolescents aged 11 or 12 years but can begin at age 9. On-time HPV vaccination by the thirteenth birthday has proven to be effective in preventing HPV cancer and pre-cancer. However, HPV coverage rates continue to lag behind other routinely recommended vaccinations for adolescents. A promising approach to improving coverage is to start HPV vaccination at age 9. This approach has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Cancer Society. Benefits of this approach include increased time to complete vaccination series by the thirteenth birthday, additional spacing of recommended vaccines, and a more concentrated focus on cancer prevention messaging. While promising, little is known about how and if existing evidence-based interventions and approaches can be used to promote starting HPV vaccination at age 9. Implementation science frameworks offer scientific direction in how to adapt current and develop new interventions to promote starting HPV vaccination at age 9 and accelerate dissemination and prevent HPV cancers

Using photovoice to understand the context of cervical cancer screening for underserved communities in rural India

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among women in India and current estimates indicate low screening rates. To implement successful population-based screening programs, there is an urgent need to explore the social and cultural beliefs among women residing in underserved communities. An innovative, community-based participatory approach called photovoice was used with 14 women aged between 30-51 years, residing in rural and tribal villages around Mysore, Karnataka, India. Each participant was trained in photovoice techniques, provided with a digital camera, and asked to photo document their everyday realities that could influence their intentions to undergo cervical cancer screening. Over 6 months, participants took a total of 136 photos and participated in 42 individual interviews and two group discussions. These data helped identify specific beliefs prevalent in the target population and were organized according to the Integrated Behavior Model. Some women reported a lack of perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer whereas others mentioned the fatal nature of cancer as a disease and believed that no screening exam could prevent death if they were destined to get cancer. Husbands, mothers-in-law, and their peers in the community had an important influence on the social identity of women and influenced their intentions to participate in the screening exams. Seeking healthcare was associated with an economic burden, not only in terms of out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services but also in missing daily labor wages or taking unpaid leave from work to seek healthcare when they were asymptomatic. Several action steps were proposed including: identifying community liaisons or champions, repeated community activities to raise awareness of cervical cancer, and educating men and other family members about women's health issues. Study findings can conceptually help design and develop educational efforts for mobilizing women to undergo screening and inform future research to help understand disparities.This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

A community‐based, cross‐sectional study of hr HPV DNA

Objective: To examine the feasibility of implementing a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA-based screening program for cervical cancer and the prevalence of hrHPV DNA-positive women in a community setting in rural India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the Hunsur taluk of the Mysore district from January to August 2016. Cervical cancer screening was conducted with self-collected vaginal samples that were analyzed using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay (Qiagen, USA). Results: The majority of participants were aged 30-39 years, with no formal schooling, from a lower caste, and lived below an annual household income of US$1499. After group health education and one-on-one counseling, a total of 473 women underwent self-sampling. Of these, 36 (7.6%) were positive for hrHPV and only 24 (66.6%) underwent follow-up diagnostic triaging. Cancer was detected in two women, who were referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for further treatment. Conclusion: Implementation of hrHPV DNA-based screening tests using self-sampling can be feasible in rural settings in India. However, substantial resources are required for providing health education and one-on-one counseling to inform asymptomatic women about the benefits of testing and, more importantly, to improve compliance with follow-up.USA NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC) [TW009338, TW010540]Public domain articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

A community-based, cross-sectional study of hrHPV DNA self-sampling-based cervical cancer screening in rural Karnataka, India

Objective: To examine the feasibility of implementing a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA-based screening program for cervical cancer and the prevalence of hrHPV DNA-positive women in a community setting in rural India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the Hunsur taluk of the Mysore district from January to August 2016. Cervical cancer screening was conducted with self-collected vaginal samples that were analyzed using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay (Qiagen, USA). Results: The majority of participants were aged 30-39 years, with no formal schooling, from a lower caste, and lived below an annual household income of US$1499. After group health education and one-on-one counseling, a total of 473 women underwent self-sampling. Of these, 36 (7.6%) were positive for hrHPV and only 24 (66.6%) underwent follow-up diagnostic triaging. Cancer was detected in two women, who were referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for further treatment. Conclusion: Implementation of hrHPV DNA-based screening tests using self-sampling can be feasible in rural settings in India. However, substantial resources are required for providing health education and one-on-one counseling to inform asymptomatic women about the benefits of testing and, more importantly, to improve compliance with follow-up.USA NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC) [TW009338, TW010540]Public domain articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

From study plans to capacity building: a journey towards health equity in cancer survivorship

This article highlights the importance of pausing and reflecting on one's motivation, capacity, and positionality when engaging in health equity research and encourages researchers to engage in critical self-reflection and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the ethical conduct of health equity-focused cancer research. In response to the urgent need to address health disparities and improve health equity in cancer survivorship care, the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) Survivorship workgroup discussed developing a study focused on understanding how racism impacts patient engagement in cancer survivorship care. However, during the study's development, the workgroup recognized limitations in research team composition and infrastructure. The workgroup engaged in critical self-reflections, individually and collectively, leading to the halting of the research study. Consequently, they redirected their efforts towards strengthening the necessary infrastructure for conducting such research, including diverse investigator representation and equitable partnerships with cancer survivors. The description of this process, along with suggestions for reflection, may be helpful and informative to other researchers and research networks seeking to center marginalized voices and work in partnership to address healthcare and health equity.Open access articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected] copyright statement above the abstract on the PDF file is incorrect; this article is not US government work with no copyright protection

Enhancing organizational health literacy in a rural Missouri clinic: a qualitative case study

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a collaborative effort between a health care organization and academic institution to strengthen organizational health literacy. Design/methodology/approach: The intervention took place at a rural, federally qualified health clinic in Missouri between May 2009 and April 2011. Qualitative interviews of key informants were conducted before (n=35) and after (n=23) the intervention to examine program implementation and success in effecting organizational change. Findings: Intervention activities helped establish a comprehensive understanding of health literacy. The project achieved moderate, fundamental and sustainable organizational change. The program successfully integrated health literacy practices into clinic systems and garnered leadership and organizational commitment, helped the workforce improve interpersonal communication and embedded practices making health education materials more accessible. Originality/value: The study points to programmatic, conceptual and methodological challenges that must be addressed for organizations to improve health literacy practices, and suggests change management strategies to advance organizational health literacy