ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO843

Supporting the Participation of Latinx Individuals in Dialysis Research

Session Information

Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

  • 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

Authors

  • Rizzolo, Katherine M., Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Flythe, Jennifer E., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
  • Cervantes, Lilia, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
Background

Despite their disproportionate burden of kidney disease, the Latinx population is underrepresented in kidney research. Culturally concordant community health workers (CHWs) with shared lived experience have increased Latinx patient representation in cancer research, but less is known about enhancing Latinx representation in kidney research. Our study aims to fill the knowledge gap about optimal strategies for supporting the participation of Latinx individuals in kidney research, through the lived experience of adult Latinx people with kidney disease and CHWs who are involved in the recruitment of Latinx individuals for research.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study with adult Latinx dialysis recipients and CHWs via semi-structured interviews assessing barriers/ facilitators to research participation. Interview transcripts were analyzed inductively for themes, coding followed thematic analysis and consensus on themes and sub-themes was reached.

Results

Patient participants (n=6) had a mean age of 56.2 years, 50% were women with 6.3 year average dialysis vintage. CHW participants (n= 9) had a mean age of 44.5 years, 77.8% were women, and 66.7% identified as Latinx. Participants described four themes (table): 1) Community relationships are key to trust building 2) Key elements to building rapport 3) Motivations to participate in a research study and 4) Barriers to participation and retention. Key areas to enhance recruitment and retention are researcher accountability (i.e. returning research findings to the community), valuing the patient voice and lived experience, and addressing social needs and language barriers that may de incentivize participation.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that relationship building and establishing trust in a community is critical for Latinx research participants.The strategies identified in this study will generate insights into augmenting diversity in future kidney research, an essential step toward achieving health equity.

Funding

  • Private Foundation Support