Elsevier

Nursing Outlook

Volume 53, Issue 3, May–June 2005, Pages 147-152
Nursing Outlook

Strategies for successful conduct of research with low-income African American populations

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Health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities are associated with poor health outcomes. African Americans bear a disproportionate amount of the burden of health disparities. The elimination of health disparities among the nation’s racial and ethnic groups requires immediate action that the health care community cannot accomplish in isolation. Eliminating health disparities calls for new and non-traditional partnerships across diverse sectors of the community that include research initiatives using culturally competent and participatory action methodologies. While there is much evidence documenting health disparities in racial and ethnic groups, there is little evidence of successful interventions that address health disparities in African Americans. Furthermore, there is little direction for successful strategies for recruiting African Americans for participation in health disparities research. This article addresses important factors to consider when conducting research with low income African Americans based on the authors’ research experience in health promotion and cancer detection and prevention. Strategies for successful conduct of research with low income African American populations are offered.

Section snippets

Background

The authors conducted several research studies with low income African Americans across the life span. Three studies were funded through the Howard University Community Outreach Partnership Centers Grant (COPC-DC-96-105) from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. A more recent study on colorectal cancer (CRC) was funded through the Yale-Howard Partnership Center on Reducing Health Disparities through Self and Family Management (NIH-NINR-1P20NR08349).

The purpose of the first study8

Establishing a Trusting Relationship

Establishing a relationship with a community is paramount for gaining the trust of those that one wishes to recruit. Trust entails reliance on the truthfulness or accuracy of the relationship. Congruence between words and actions is essential for trust to grow. Researchers must be sincere in every interaction in order to gain and maintain the trust of participants. Researchers would do well to establish themselves as credible researchers who are genuinely interested in participants’ health.

Summary and conclusion

An increase in research addressing health disparities is needed if we are to close the research gap related to racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly research related to African Americans. Advances in nursing science that enhance health outcomes for African Americans will need to provide evidence of successful interventions addressing health disparities. Routine use of methodologies incorporating principles of cultural competence may help to overcome the long-standing barrier of

Beatrice Adderley-Kelly is a Professor at Howard University, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Washington, DC.

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Beatrice Adderley-Kelly is a Professor at Howard University, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Washington, DC.

Pauline M. Green is a Professor at Howard University, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Washington, DC.

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