Abstract: FR-PO893
Directions for Rural Health Research From the COMPASS Project
Session Information
- Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health - II
November 04, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 800 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Schmidt, Darren W., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Fuentes, Jesus E., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Rishel Brakey, Heidi, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Myaskovsky, Larissa, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Argyropoulos, Christos, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Background
The Community Based Study of the Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cuba New Mexico and Surrounding Areas (COMPASS), a kidney health screening initiative in rural New Mexico (NM), was designed to screen for CKD and discover novel related biomarkers. We explored participants’ opinions about CKD research and best practices for delivering kidney lab results to patients with a sub-sample of the study population.
Methods
Participants were aged 18-80 years, provided informed consent, and had a mailing address in Cuba, NM; we excluded participants with history of renal replacement therapy. We communicated kidney lab results to participants via a letter using the NKFvisualization tools (Fig. 1). We qualitatively interviewed a subset of participants from the main study to explore their thoughts about general research participation and receive feedback on the results letter. Using descriptive qualitative design and a team-based, iterative, process, we elicited themes from transcribed interviews using NVivo qualitative analysis software.
Results
We interviewed 33 adults: 63% Hispanic; 24% American Indian; and 54.5% female. The most salient themes included positive attitudes toward kidney research; the role of third parties for help interpreting the results letter; and the research participation inspiring lifestyle change (Table 1).
Conclusion
Rural community members embraced the opportunity to participate in kidney health research. The NKF visualization tools for displaying lab results were well-received, but patients could use help interpreting results. The letter, however, still inspired positive lifestyle change in rural New Mexican participants.
Themes & Related Subject Responses
| Positive Perceptions of Kidney Research | Role of Third Parties for Interpretation of Results Letter | Results Letter Inspiring Lifestyle Changes |
| “…I believe in research studies. I think it’s helpful to a total community…” | “…I took it to my doctor because I have issues [understanding the letter], and it was right on point. He was very happy with the letter that you guys sent…” | “I drink a lot more water now. I try to watch what I eat, not too much fatty foods. I’ve lost like 25 pounds now…” |
| “I participate because I’m curious about myself, but it’s something that I think is good for the community and try to get people involved in…” | “What happened was that all of this helped me understand what was wrong with me, so you guys are great, honestly. What you gave me, I took to the doctor, and he figured out, so it eliminated a lot of things.” | “Just drinking more water daily and going for walks more. Just trying to watch what I eat… Just little things like that I kind of changed a little bit. It’s been good, so far.” |
| “[Research is] to help people understand stuff, I guess, and what the research is. I don’t know what kind of research studies are doing right now... if it was something that might benefit me or my family or somebody that I know that might have something, I’d probably [participate].” | “…we looked at it, and there were a few numbers that we weren’t too sure about. We have a friend who’s a nurse, and so we let her look over what the study was. She said it was all good.” | “It made me aware that what I put into my body is what I’m getting out of it, in terms of alcohol or junk food, and in terms of diabetes…That really did open my eyes to a lot of that stuff, but I thought it didn’t apply to me, but I guess I was just fooling myself.” |
Funding
- Private Foundation Support