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Principal Investigator: Dr. Jose Bernardo, MD

 

 

Aims:

 

We are interested in assessing renal health-related risks and barriers to care experienced by minority populations.  We will begin our assessment with the predominantly Asian and Southeast Asian community.  Our hypothesis is that members of Asian and Southeast communities face significant cultural and socioeconomic barriers to care that prevent them from learning about or taking advantage of preventive interventions, both medical and educational, for chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Our goal is to identify and quantify these barriers, along with assessing whether community-based health screenings and educational outreach can help to reduce these barriers. This research project will employ questionnaires and participant interviews to target this underserved community and address the following problems:  

 

1. Assess the health needs and barriers to care experienced by Asian American immigrant communities.    

2. Measuring participants’ understanding of and access to preventive care for renal diseases such as CKD, along with associated chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.    

3. Assess the frequency of herbal medication usage and its influence on participants’ usage of mainstream health care resources. 

4. Evaluate the relationship between diet habits and CKD among Asian populations 

5. Assess the risk factors and co-morbidities for CKD among Asian populations 

          

This research will be conducted primarily during free community kidney health screening events held within the Asian communities. These events are organized by the study’s Primary Investigator, an experienced nephrologist.  This research will also expand to other ethnic communities upon request by local community leaders. 

 

Research Design and Procedure:

 

We will distribute questionnaires to participants attending the screening events.  These questionnaires will (1) assist in the screening procedure by identifying potential risk factors for CKD, hypertension, and diabetes that will be utilized by the volunteer physician during the physician-participant consultation that occurs at the end of each participant’s screening experience and (2) will provide data about the participants’ demographics, risk factors for chronic disease, and previous experiences in obtaining medical care.  The questionnaire obtains information about participant demographics, risk factors for common chronic diseases, and general health information that can be used to assess access to care.  The results obtained during screening (BMI, glucose level using a glucometer, blood pressure, and on-site rapid urinalysis) are also recorded on the questionnaire. All participants who attend the screenings will be given the same questionnaire, with translated versions available (see attached).  Only adult greater than 18 years of age will be eligible to participate in the kidney health screening events.  Participant contact information will be retained for purposes of providing them with a letter for their primary care provider upon request, the information collected will only be used for research, not for diagnosis or medical treatment. Participants may be contacted at a later time for follow up.   

 

Procedure:

 

Mobile screening events will be held within ethnic communities upon request by local community leaders. Publicity for the screening events will be coordinated through local community leaders, advertisements, and outreach efforts.  During the screening, each participant will be led through a sequence of six modules: (1) Registration: Participants who come to a screening will first be guided through completing the questionnaire by a screening volunteer who is fluent in the participant’s primary language.  Participants will be informed at this point that the information they enter into the form will be used for research purposes in addition to the screening;(2) Hip, waist, height, and weight measurements and determination of BMI; (3) Blood pressure measurements; (4) Glucose levels using glucometers. A lancet will be used to prick each subject’s finger to collect one drop of blood for blood glucose analysis; (5) Urinalysis; (6) Consultation: Participants meet with one of the volunteer physicians, who will discuss the screening results with participants. Educational materials containing target blood pressure, normal glucose levels and risk factors for CKD will be given to the participants. Individuals who have abnormal results will be instructed to make an appointment with their primary care providers. Participants will be provided a copy of their questionnaire along with their screening results at this module.