Cancer Assessment Methodology in a Native Hawaiian Community

Background: Limited data have been collected on cancer in Native Hawaiian communities, although Native Hawaiians tend to have higher cancer mortality rates than other ethnic groups in Hawai`i.

Objectives: We sought to describe the community-based participatory research (CBPR) process used to deliver a culturally tailored protocol, combining traditional Native Hawaiian practices and random sampling methods, to determine cancer screening practices and program preferences of residents of a Hawaiian Homes (HH) community.

Methods: Following a culturally tailored protocol, we attempted to survey half of the 644 households in the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Community (WHHC). Pairs of Native Hawaiian college students performed the majority of data collection; a community member joined them if available. Visits to the selected homes were tracked and participation rates estimated. Additional information on this methodology emerged from discussions between researchers and community members.

Results: Of the 449 households accessed, 187 (42%) completed the survey, with an average of two visits per household. Individuals at 63 (14%) households refused outright. The remaining 199 (44%) homes were visited up to five times, but produced no response. Although some homes were vacant, often it appeared that residents were home but unresponsive. Our sampling procedure (targeting every other house and requiring accrual of 75 individuals in each of four age–gender groups) reduced participation.

Conclusions: The use of CBPR built capacity for all partners by engaging them in all levels of research. The results, however, suggest the need for a more inclusive sampling strategy and the continued use of CBPR.