The Recruitment to Dissemination Continuum in Community-based Participatory Research.

BACKGROUND: Dissemination of research findings to participants and communities, particularly among traditionally marginalized groups, is a systemic challenge. In community-based participatory research (CBPR), long-term partnerships may foster a link between recruitment to research studies, dissemination of results, and recruitment to future studies. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the recruitment to dissemination continuum of a CBPR study and its potential impact on partnership processes and future research. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with four focus groups with community members and academic partners who participated in the recruitment and the dissemination of research findings from a study of Hispanic and Somali social networks in Rochester, Minnesota. Thematic analysis and coding of focus group transcripts was conducted by investigators. The CBPR conceptual model for this partnership guided the analysis. RESULTS: Trust, relationship building, and capacity building were key features for successful participant recruitment and research dissemination strategies. Strategies, resources, and relationships used or developed during the recruitment phase of research were directly applied to planning a dissemination event. Participants and members of their communities said they were more likely to participate in future research studies as a result of attending a dissemination event. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ways in which recruitment of marginalized populations to research studies and dissemination of study results can manifest as a continuum. This continuum is nurtured by trust, longitudinal relationships, and robust partnership dynamics. These factors fit well within an existing CBPR conceptual model.

An Assessment of Health Priorities Among a Community Sample of Somali Adults.

Somali immigrants are one of the largest African populations to resettle in the United States since 1990. There is an emerging literature base of disease-specific studies among Somali immigrants. However, we are aware of no studies on the health priorities for Somalis from the community's perspective. Somali adults in Minnesota completed a survey conducted by a community-based participatory research partnership on individual and community health priorities. Data were reported as counts and frequencies. 646 participants completed the survey. The most important health issues for individuals and their families were health behaviors (22.7%), diabetes (18.2%), and hypertension (14.4%), while those of the community were diabetes (22.5%), hypertension (18.8%) and weight (15.9%). This study found a significant overlap of health priorities among Somali individuals and their families compared to the community. These health priorities underscore the need to focus on non-communicable diseases among Somali immigrants.

Social networks and obesity among Somali immigrants and refugees.

BACKGROUND: Somali immigrants and refugees to the United States are at high risk for obesity and related cardiovascular risk. Social network factors influence health behaviors and are important contributors to the obesity epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe social networks and obesity-related characteristics among adult Somali immigrants in a Minnesota city in order to inform a community-based, participatory, research-derived, social network intervention to decrease obesity rates. METHODS: Survey data (demographics, general health measures, and sociobehavioral and network measures) and height and weight measures (for calculating body mass index) were collected from adult Somali immigrants by bilingual study team members at community locations. Descriptive statistics were used to report the survey and biometric data. Logistic regression models were used to describe the basic associations of participants and network factors. Network data were analyzed to identify nodes and ties, to visualize the network, and to identify potential interventionists for a future social network intervention. RESULTS: Of the 646 participants, 50% were overweight or affected by obesity. The network had 1703 nodes with 3583 ties between nodes, and modularity was high (0.75). Compared with respondents of normal weight, participants who were overweight or affected by obesity had more network members who were also overweight or obese (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.11-7.56; P = .03); this was most notable for men (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.22-17.22; P = .02) and suggestive for those 50 years or older (OR, 24.23; 95% CI, 1.55-377.83; P = .03). Weight loss intention among participants who were overweight or affected by obesity was associated with number of family members and friends trying to lose weight, enabling functional network factors (social norms for weight loss, social support for healthy eating, and social cohesion), and less favorable obesogenic social norms. CONCLUSIONS: In this community sample of Somali immigrants, distinct social networks are clustered by weight status, and social contacts and functional network characteristics are related to individuals' weight loss intentions. These factors should be considered in weight loss interventions and programs. A social network intervention targeting weight loss, within a community-based participatory research framework, is feasible in this vulnerable population.