SBIR-STTR Award

The long-term objectives of this study are to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive, colorectal cancer screening promotion intervention for Latinos tailored by language preference, age, gender and prior screening experience. The specific aims of this study are to identify appropriate colorectal cancer education message elements for a screening promotion intervention intended for low-income Latinos, identify specific elements on which the colorectal cancer education messages for low-income Latinos can be optimally tailored, and assess current and emerging touchscreen technologies that are affordable and appropriate for delivering an interactive, colorectal cancer screening promotion intervention. This study addresses the need for culturally relevant materials to help reduce healthcare disparities for medically underserved communities. The study will conduct formative research with low-income Latino adults in English and Spanish to examine those factors that either impede or promote colorectal cancer screening. The findings of the study will be used subsequently to design messages that can educate Latinos about the importance of screening and early detection of colorectal cancer, the different screening methods, treatment options if colorectal cancer is detected, and the chance of surviving the disease if it is detected and treated early. The study will also conduct a technical evaluation of touchscreens to identify the best technology that is affordable and reliable for use in a touchscreen kiosk. The study's findings on colorectal cancer screening promotion will guide the development of messages for use in an education intervention in Phase II, while the findings of the technical evaluation of touchscreens will inform the decision about a cost-effective touchscreen for use for in Phase II on the development of an interactive multimedia kiosks that can educate and motivate Latinos to obtain colorectal cancer screening. The high colorectal cancer death rates for Latinos represent a significant public health problem. Latino screening rates will have to double this decade to meet the nation's public health goals for colorectal cancer cited in Healthy People 2010.

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The long-term goal of this study is to develop an effective education intervention that increases screening adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines and reduces the rates of late-stage detection and preventable mortality among medically underserved Latinos. The specific aims of this study are to: (1) develop culturally and linguistically appropriate colorectal cancer screening and risk reduction information designed for low- income, low literacy Latinos, (2) develop digital multimedia touchscreen kiosks to deliver interactive colorectal cancer screening and risk reduction information to low-income, low literacy Latinos, (3) evaluate the efficacy of an interactive, multimedia kiosk intervention to increase knowledge about colorectal cancer risk and promote screening and other risk reduction behaviors among low-income, low literacy Latinos, and (4) evaluate the acceptance of the interactive, multimedia kiosk by clinical providers and low-income, low literacy Latinos receiving the intervention. The HHS Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities calls attention to the gaps in access to preventive health services for low-income, medically underserved individuals. This study to develop and evaluate a colorectal cancer screening promotion intervention for medically underserved Latinos responds to the National Cancer Institute's program on Interactive Media Technologies in Cancer Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control to promote the use of innovative media technology and/or communication approaches in cancer prevention and control applications used in medical and community settings. The intervention study employs a randomized controlled design. Study participants will be given a pretest and randomly assigned to either an intervention or control condition in equal numbers. The intervention group will be exposed to an interactive, multimedia colorectal cancer education intervention while the control group will receive standard care, which means they will not receive any CRC education materials. Six-months from baseline, a post-test will be administered to both intervention and control groups.

Public Health Relevance:
The study addresses the health disparity of preventable colorectal cancer mortality among Latinos due to low screening rates and correspondingly high rates of late-stage detection. If the efficacy of this education intervention to improve screening adherence is demonstrated in this study, interactive kiosks offer the means for deployment of an intervention on a national scale to significantly impact colorectal cancer screening rates and thereby reduce mortality.

Public Health Relevance:
Project Narrative The study addresses the health disparity of preventable colorectal cancer mortality among Latinos due to low screening rates and correspondingly high rates of late-stage detection. If the efficacy of this education intervention to improve screening adherence is demonstrated in this study, interactive kiosks offer the means for deployment of an intervention on a national scale to significantly impact colorectal cancer screening rates and thereby reduce mortality.

Thesaurus Terms:
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