Perspectives on Biological Monitoring in Environmental Health Research: A Focus Group Study in a Native American Community

Melissa Gonzales, Elanda King, Jeanette Bobelu, Donica M. Ghahate, Teresa Madrid, Sheri Lesansee and Vallabh Shah
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Melissa Gonzales: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC10 5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Elanda King: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC10 5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Jeanette Bobelu: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC 08 4670 Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Donica M. Ghahate: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC 08 4670 Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Teresa Madrid: Office for Diversity, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC 09 5235 Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Sheri Lesansee: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy, University of New Mexico, MSC 02 1645, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Vallabh Shah: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC 08 4670 Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-8

Abstract: Background: Reliance on natural resources brings Native American communities into frequent contact with environmental media, which, if contaminated, represents an exposure route for environmental pollutants. Native American communities vary in their perspectives on research and relatively little is known about the range of perspectives regarding the use of biological samples for environmental exposure assessment. Methods: Thirty-one members of Zuni Pueblo (median age = 40.0 years, range = 26–59 years) participated a series of four focus groups. Qualitative themes emerging from the focus group discussion transcripts were identified by content analysis. Results : Emergent themes included adequate informed consent, traditional beliefs, and personal choice. Conclusions: The discussions reinforced the central role of traditional values in the decision to participate in research involving biological samples for environmental exposure assessment. Decision-making required a balance between the perceived value of the proposed project and its purpose, with cultural perspectives surrounding the biological sample requested. We examine the potential for study bias and include recommendations to aid in the collaborative identification and control of unintended risks posed by the use of biological samples in environmental health studies in native communities.

Keywords: Native American; environmental exposure; biological monitoring; rural populations; focus group (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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