Recruitment and community interactions in the GOCADAN study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health burden in indigenous populations.
• Understanding CVD risk factors in Alaskan Eskimos is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate heart and vascular disease prevalence in Alaskan Eskimos.
• To identify specific risk factors for CVD within the Norton Sound Eskimo community.

Main Methods:

• Employed a community-based participatory research approach in the Norton Sound region of Alaska.
• Established collaborative relationships with the Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) Board, village councils, and community members.
• Developed systematic procedures for participant selection, enrollment, feedback, and referral.

Main Results:

• Achieved an average participation rate of 82.6% among eligible villagers across seven villages.
• Successfully screened 1214 individuals from nine villages between October 2000 and June 2004.
• Implemented a four-level referral system and provided participants with clear test results and explanations.

Conclusions:

• Participatory research principles facilitated successful CVD screening in the Alaskan Eskimo population.
• The established partnership fostered mutual engagement between researchers and the community throughout the study lifecycle.
• This collaborative model ensured effective data dissemination to individuals, communities, and healthcare providers.