Essential Engagement as the First Step in Gaining Entrée into the Laotian American Community on Cervical Cancer Screening
Abstract
Asian American women, including Laotian American women (LAW) have the lowest rate of cervical cancer (CC) screenings at 75% compared to other ethnic groups. This rate is much lower than the national goal of 93%. There is a need for current research surrounding CC screening among LAW in the Pacific Northwest. An essential first step of engagement includes collaboration with Laotian American cultural community leaders (CCLs) to gain entrée into the Laotian American community prior to conducting research. The essential engagement step included trust and rapport building, conveying respectful and authentic intentions, and time needed for building connections and multiple conversations with CCLs in the community. The Laotian American CCLs expressed to our team that the community is wary of researchers. Academic and community stakeholders’ interactions may impact the engagement, co-learning, project continuity, and cultural immersion experience. The purpose of this brief article is to describe the first essential engagement step of relationship building between the academic project team and CCLs to gain entrée to the Laotian American community regarding a sensitive topic on woman’s health. The project team used the Plus/Delta method to evaluate the engagement process. Three main themes were identified: elders connecting the project team from academia to the Laotian Women Association, a shared mission to respond to a community identified need, and humanizing the connections through stories. Prior to conducting research with this community, researchers should consider authentically engaging CCLs to add richness to the project purpose and to show respect for the people.
About the Presenter
Catherine Pravisay-Malmstadt
Catherine Pravisay-Malmstadt is a third-year medical student at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Catherine attended college at Washington State University Vancouver where she earned a degree in biology. Catherine’s research interest is preventative women’s health.