A Photovoice Evaluation of Coping Mechanisms Among Children of Immigrants

In this community based participatory research, photovoice was used to shine a light on the coping mechanisms of children of immigrants. Photovoice was chosen to give the children a platform to explore and identify how they cope with difficult circumstances and situations. Eight children were chosen by convenience sampling. Children were recruited from the after-school program offered by Puentes de Salud, a non-profit organization in South Philadelphia. Participants varied in ages from 7 to 12 years old or, 3rd through 5th grade. The primary purpose of the study was to (a) provide a deeper understanding of the coping mechanisms of vulnerable children whom experience adversity and (b) provide insight to Puentes de Salud, for them to implement and/or evaluate their activities to suit those coping mechanisms of the children. The study occurred over 5 sessions with parents and children. The children were given a disposable camera with 27 frames and were given the probing question: “What or who do you turn to when things go and get tough?” The three major themes that emerged from the pictures were: Culture, Friends and Family, and Puentes (the after-school program). This research shed light on the adversity faced by these children and how they try to cope with it. There was both personal buy-in and skepticism from this vulnerable populations, given the scope of the research project. Puentes de Salud can implement strategies and activities into their education program to teach effective coping mechanisms and styles

Predictors of HPV Vaccination Series Completion in Philadelphia Adolescents

Research Aim: This study analyzed data from the Philadelphia KidsPlus Immunization information System (IIS) to look at factors associated with HPV vaccine series completion. Note: Student capstone presentation also available at: http://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/190

Narrative Health Communication and Behavior Change: The Influence of Exemplars in the News on Intention to Quit Smoking.

This study investigated psychological mechanisms underlying the effect of narrative health communication on behavioral intention. Specifically, the study examined how exemplification in news about successful smoking cessation affects recipients\u27 narrative engagement, thereby changing their intention to quit smoking. Nationally representative samples of U.S. adult smokers participated in 2 experiments. The results from the 2 experiments consistently showed that smokers reading a news article with an exemplar experienced greater narrative engagement compared to those reading an article without an exemplar. Those who reported more engagement were in turn more likely to report greater smoking cessation intentions

The impact of HPV vaccine narratives on social media: Testing narrative engagement theory with a diverse sample of young adults.

Rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are highest in young adults, who can be vaccinated against HPV if they were not vaccinated as adolescents. Since young adults increasingly access health information on social media, we tested the impact of a social media campaign with narrative-based health information on intentions related to HPV vaccination. We also aimed to understand which ads resonated most with young adults and led to higher survey completion rates. We created social media posts featuring videos promoting HPV vaccination. We launched a sponsored ad campaign on Facebook to reach young women, ages 18-26, across the country. Participants were randomly assigned one of 6 videos and then completed a brief survey about video engagement and intentions to: talk with a health care professional, talk with friends or family, and vaccinate against HPV. A descriptive correlational design and a test for moderation were used to explore hypothesized relationships. Across all ads, 1332 link clicks led to 991 completed surveys that were reduced to 607 surveys (95 % ages 18-26, 63 % non-Caucasian; 58 % sexually active). Higher video engagement was associated with stronger intentions to talk with a health care professional (r = 0.44, p =.01), talk with friends/family (r = 0.52, p =.01), and vaccinate against HPV (r = 0.43, p =.01). Young adults were receptive to watching narrative-based health information videos on social media. When promoting HPV vaccination, more engaging information leads to greater intentions to talk about the vaccine and get vaccinated

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Primary Care Patients: RE-AIM Analysis.

Context: Hispanic adults experience disparities in rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. This RE-AIM analysis encompassed a multilevel decision support and navigation intervention (DSNI) for CRC screening. Interim findings were previously presented; we now aim to share the final analysis, particularly for effectiveness and implementation. Objective: Apply RE-AIM framework to a completed randomized controlled trial of a CRC screening intervention for Hispanic adults Setting: Five primary care practices Patients or Other Participants: Potential participants included a sampling frame of 2,720 screening-eligible patients, ages 50-75, Hispanic ethnicity, without history of CRC and polyps. 400 participants were enrolled. Intervention/Instrument: Decision support and navigation by a bilingual Patient Assistant (PA) as compared to a standard mailed intervention (SI) Main and Secondary Outcome Measures: 1) Reach- Study participants as compared to sampling frame 2) Effectiveness- Screening adherence 3) Adoption- Number of practice participants to complete intervention, engagement of patient and stakeholder advisory committee (PASAC) 4) Implementation- Quantitative data pertaining to patient contacts and communication of screening plan to primary care practices, Qualitative data on PA and Telephone Interviewer (TI) experiences 5) Maintenance- Health system dissemination (Pending). Results: 1) Reach- Study participants differed from the sampling frame in that ages 50-59 were overrepresented. There were no differences in race, gender, or language. 2) Effectiveness- Screening adherence was significantly increased in the DSNI group (73%) as compared to the SI group (44%) (OR=3.48, CI: 2.29-4.29,

Assessing the Coverage of US Cancer Center Primary Catchment Areas.

Background: Cancer centers are expected to engage communities and reduce the burden of cancer in their catchment areas. However, the extent to which cancer centers adequately reach the entire US population is unknown. Methods: We surveyed all members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (N ¼ 102 cancer centers) to document and map each cancer center’s primary catchment area. Catchment area descriptions were aggregated to the county level. Catchment area coverage scores were calculated for each county and choropleths generated representing coverage across the US. Similar analyses were used to overlay US population density, cancer incidence, and cancer-related mortality compared with each county’s cancer center catchment area coverage. Results: Roughly 85% of US counties were included in at least one cancer center’s primary catchment area. However, 15% of US counties, or roughly 25 million Americans, do not reside in a catchment area. When catchment area coverage was integrated with population density, cancer incidence, and cancer-related mortality metrics, geographical trends in both over- and undercoverage were apparent. Conclusions: Geographic gaps in cancer center catchment area coverage exist and may be propagating cancer disparities. Efforts to ensure coverage to all Americans should be a priority of cancer center leadership. Impact: This is the first known geographic analysis and interpretation of the primary catchment areas of all US-based cancer centers and identifies key geographic gaps important to target for disparities reduction