Developing a multilingual questionnaire and surname list to sample Utah Pacific Islanders

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Utah vital records indicated unique health issues among Pacific Islanders.
• Statewide surveys had insufficient sample sizes and lacked Samoan/Tongan language administration.
• Further investigation via a dedicated behavioral survey was warranted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive surveillance study of Utah Pacific Islanders.
• To address limitations of previous statewide health surveys.
• To gather precise health status data for this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

• Developed a surname list from Utah birth certificates identifying Pacific Islander parents.
• Created a questionnaire with input from local Pacific Islanders.
• Administered the survey in English, Samoan, and Tongan to 605 adult participants.

Main Results:

• The Utah Pacific Islander Survey (UPIS) provided more precise health status estimates than the Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
• UPIS identified higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and male arthritis among Utah Pacific Islanders compared to BRFSS.
• Interviews in Samoan or Tongan revealed elevated rates of diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Conclusions:

• The UPIS identified critical health disparities, including high rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, and low screening rates, necessitating public health interventions.
• UPIS data offers more accurate health status estimates for Utah's Pacific Islander population than BRFSS.
• This study establishes robust baseline data for evaluating future interventions targeting these health disparities.