Staff and participant perceptions of optimal recruitment and retention strategies for biomedical cohort studies in the Caribbean.

PURPOSE: To identify staff and participants perspectives of best practices that facilitate achieving enrollment and retention targets in biomedical cohort studies in Caribbean populations. METHODS: Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with research stakeholders including research (i) nurses/study supervisors, (ii) field staff/data collectors, and (iii) rural and urban participants of the Third Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (a national NCD risk factor survey with biospecimen collection) to capture qualitative data on experiences with recruitment, training, retention challenges and potential solutions or strategies for strengthening future efforts. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that trained, experienced study staff with good interpersonal communication skills enhanced the proficiency of field operations and attracted study participants. Targeted community and stakeholder engagement alongside strong support from the coordinating center increased the reach and efficiency of the data collectors. Timely participant feedback, gender-appropriate approaches, and socioeconomic balance enhanced equitable enrollment and retention of participants of cohort studies particularly the hard to reach groups. CONCLUSION: Well-functioning research teams using traditional and social media promotion, applying gender-appropriate and personalized approaches together with strategies for reaching the less accessible socioeconomic groups, are effective for recruiting and retaining members of a Caribbean cohort. These strategies may also enhance the recruitment of other Black populations in the Diaspora including the US and Caribbean into biomedical studies including cancer research.

Woman to Woman: Implementation of a Cervical Cancer Education Training Program for Grenadian Lay Health Advisors.

The reduction in cervical cancer (CC) in developed countries, due mainly to Pap testing, has not filtered down to Caribbean countries including Grenada despite accessible screening. This is attributed to a lack of knowledge and low screening. Researchers in low resource settings successfully trained lay health advisors (LHAs), using theory-based, culturally relevant interventions to reverse this trend. The use of LHAs in Grenada was not documented in the literature; therefore, the purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a culturally relevant curriculum in an effort to educate Grenadian LHAs on CC. Using convenience sampling, 8 Grenadian women were recruited from the parishes with the highest rates of CC. They participated in Woman to Woman (W2W), a 2-day CC, and human papilloma virus (HPV) prevention education program facilitated by local content experts. W2W was adapted from an evidence-based curriculum and tailored for the Grenadian context. Training consisted of modules on CC and HPV. Knowledge of LHAs was measured pre- and post-intervention. Summative evaluation was assessed using a focus group discussion. There was a significant increase in CC knowledge among LHA post-training (p < 0.05) and LHAs had positive opinions about the intervention. They had an enhanced sense of self-efficacy and valued feeling part of a team. The W2W results indicated that an evidence-based and culturally tailored educational intervention has the potential for significant gains in CC and HPV knowledge. Future research will evaluate the LHA-led CC and HPV educational intervention in the community setting.

African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium Scientific and Training Conference 2017.

The sixth International African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) Conference was held 6-9 October 2017 in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. The conference was open to all researchers, trainees, clinical and public health professionals, and community members, and served as an international hub for the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa. Sessions included AC3 collaboration meetings, cancer surveillance and research skills training workshops, and a community cancer prevention conference.