190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study engaged Black adults who reside in a rural area of Kentucky to explore their beliefs, norms, knowledge, attitudes, and health-related behaviors about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (RQ1) and what message elements are most relevant for designing a health message aimed at encour...

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Main Authors: Yolanda Jackson, Elizabeth K. Rhodus, Nancy G. Harrington
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2024-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612400181X/type/journal_article
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author Yolanda Jackson
Elizabeth K. Rhodus
Nancy G. Harrington
author_facet Yolanda Jackson
Elizabeth K. Rhodus
Nancy G. Harrington
author_sort Yolanda Jackson
collection DOAJ
description OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study engaged Black adults who reside in a rural area of Kentucky to explore their beliefs, norms, knowledge, attitudes, and health-related behaviors about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (RQ1) and what message elements are most relevant for designing a health message aimed at encouraging them to get screened for AD (RQ2). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This qualitative study was guided bythe Integrative Model of Behavior. Participants were recruited from a faith-based institution in rural Kentucky. Black adults aged 50+ years were invited to participate in the study, which consisted of two focus groups. Group 1 gained information about behavioral determinants (RQ1) and examined which message design elements were important to Black adults by asking for feedback on a handout from the Alzheimer’s Association that encouraged AD screening (RQ2). The handout was redesigned based on feedback from Group 1. Group 2 was involved in a discussion of the redesigned handout, asking for further feedback. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis included thematic analysis of transcripts of the focus groups and quantitative analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Participants (N=18) were all female and Black with a mean age of sixty-two years. For RQ1, Results revealed that 1) limited knowledge of AD led to feelings of not being able to do anything about the disease, whereas awareness and education led to hope; 2) past healthcare experiences informed subsequent beliefs and behaviors, and 3) culture impacted beliefs, with a cultural norm of “what happens in our house, stays in our house” being prominent. For RQ2, results revealed the importance of regionally specific messaging for AD. Generic statements that applied broadly did not appeal to participants. Message delivery, layout, and format for low literacy individuals are key for maximizing audience impact. Pictures give hints about the message and aid in understanding. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Barriers such as past experiences, lack of knowledge, and cultural norms negatively impact the likelihood that Black adults will get screened for AD, resulting in delayed healthcare or healthcare avoidance. Regionally specific health messaging for AD has the potential to encourage modifications in health-related behaviors.
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spelling doaj.art-a74b45768e1244f19c5bffd0f83b16f82024-04-03T02:00:21ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612024-04-018575810.1017/cts.2024.181190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative StudyYolanda Jackson0Elizabeth K. Rhodus1Nancy G. Harrington2University of KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Center for Health Equity TransformationUniversity of Kentucky College of Communication and InformationOBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study engaged Black adults who reside in a rural area of Kentucky to explore their beliefs, norms, knowledge, attitudes, and health-related behaviors about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (RQ1) and what message elements are most relevant for designing a health message aimed at encouraging them to get screened for AD (RQ2). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This qualitative study was guided bythe Integrative Model of Behavior. Participants were recruited from a faith-based institution in rural Kentucky. Black adults aged 50+ years were invited to participate in the study, which consisted of two focus groups. Group 1 gained information about behavioral determinants (RQ1) and examined which message design elements were important to Black adults by asking for feedback on a handout from the Alzheimer’s Association that encouraged AD screening (RQ2). The handout was redesigned based on feedback from Group 1. Group 2 was involved in a discussion of the redesigned handout, asking for further feedback. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis included thematic analysis of transcripts of the focus groups and quantitative analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Participants (N=18) were all female and Black with a mean age of sixty-two years. For RQ1, Results revealed that 1) limited knowledge of AD led to feelings of not being able to do anything about the disease, whereas awareness and education led to hope; 2) past healthcare experiences informed subsequent beliefs and behaviors, and 3) culture impacted beliefs, with a cultural norm of “what happens in our house, stays in our house” being prominent. For RQ2, results revealed the importance of regionally specific messaging for AD. Generic statements that applied broadly did not appeal to participants. Message delivery, layout, and format for low literacy individuals are key for maximizing audience impact. Pictures give hints about the message and aid in understanding. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Barriers such as past experiences, lack of knowledge, and cultural norms negatively impact the likelihood that Black adults will get screened for AD, resulting in delayed healthcare or healthcare avoidance. Regionally specific health messaging for AD has the potential to encourage modifications in health-related behaviors.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612400181X/type/journal_article
spellingShingle Yolanda Jackson
Elizabeth K. Rhodus
Nancy G. Harrington
190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
title 190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
title_full 190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr 190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed 190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
title_short 190 Translating Alzheimer’s Disease Research to Improve Dementia Screening Through Health Message Design in the Community: A Qualitative Study
title_sort 190 translating alzheimer s disease research to improve dementia screening through health message design in the community a qualitative study
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612400181X/type/journal_article
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