Testing Protocols for Rural Sample Data Collection Pilot Project

Testing Protocols for Rural Sample Data Collection

Mary Beth Stepans, PhD, RN
Principal Investigator
University of Wyoming
Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing
mstepans@uwyo.edu

| Team | Dissemination |New Grants

Overview:

Purpose: Asthma is the most prevalent serious chronic disease among children. Nearly eight million of the 214 million Americans, who suffer from asthma, are children (American Lung Association, [ALA], 2003). This pilot study will lay the foundation for an intervention study to improve the respiratory health of children in rural areas. The central intent of this proposed pilot study is to develop and test protocols useful in monitoring biomarkers and aeroallergens that reflect the inflammatory response of the respiratory system of babies between 12 and 18 months of age. It is expected that biomarkers that have been found to be useful in the older child and adult will also be valid indicators of inflammation in young children. The activities of this proposal are to pilot protocols for specimen collection, transport and storage.

Aims: The specific aims of this pilot project are to: (a) evaluate a protocol for measuring airway anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL1, IL4, IL5, IL6, TNF-a, GM-CSF, RANTES, CRP, and EPX via urine samples; (b) evaluate a protocol for measuring indoor air allergens (dust mite, cat, dog, mouse and cockroach); (c) evaluate a protocol for long-term storage of urine and air allergen samples; and (d) test the use of computerized data collection questionnaires. Establishing protocols that ensure both the stability of samples and complete data sets are vital to meet the unique challenges of collecting data in rural settings. This will be the first step in the development of an intervention study.

Methods: Four aspects of a data collection protocol will be developed and tested. These aspects include (a) measuring biomarkers, (b) measuring indoor air allergens, (c) long-term storage of samples and (d) using an electronic format for data collection.

Continuation: Establishing protocols that ensure both the stability (short term and long term) of samples and complete data sets are vital to meet the unique challenges of collecting data in rural settings. This project will be an initial step in the development of an intervention study and create a foundation for a larger inter-institutional collaborative effort. Eventually we hope to (a) develop interventions designed to decrease exposure to inflammatory environmental triggers such as tobacco smoke, animal dander, and dust mites and (b) use inflammatory biomarkers to evaluate these interventions.

Team:

	T. Kimberly Rodehorst, PhD, RNC Co-Investigator University of Nebraska Medical Center tkrodeho@unmc.edu

	Derek Smith, PhD Co-Investigator University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences SmithDT@uwyo.edu

	Susan Wilhelm, PhD, RNC Co-Investigator University of Nebraska Medical Center slwilhel@unmc.edu

	Clarann Weinert, SC, PhD, RN, FAAN Co-Investigator Montana State University College of Nursing cweinert@montana.edu

Dissemination:

Publications

Rodehorst, K. (2005). Evaluating protocols for the measurement of inflammatory biomarkers. [CD] In Sigma Theta Tau International 38th Bienniel Convention. Indianapolis, IN.
Stepans, M. (2005). Evaluating a protocol to measure indoor air allergens. [CD] Sigma Theta Tau International 38th Bienniel Convention . Indianapolis, IN.
Stepans, M.B., Rodehorst, K., Wilhelm, S., Smith, D., & Weinert, C. (2006). Long-term storage of urine and dust samples. [Abstract] Proceedings of the Western Institute of Nursing Hallmarks of Quality: Building Knowledge for Practice, Albuquerque, NM.
Stepans, M.B., Rodehorst, K., Wilhelm, S., Smith, D., & Weinert, C. (2006). Rural sample collection: Now you see it, now you don’t. [Symposium Abstract] Proceedings of the Western Institute of Nursing Hallmarks of Quality: Building Knowledge for Practice, Albuquerque, NM.
Stepans, M., Wilhelm, S., Weinert, C., Rodehorst, T., & Smith, D. (2005). Testing protocols for rural sample data collection. Communicating Nursing Research, 38, 369.
Weinert, C. (2005). Multi-site research: Testing protocols for rural sample data collection. [CD] Sigma Theta Tau International 38th Bienniel Convention . Indianapolis, IN.
Wilhelm S. (2005). Analysis of application of computerized questionnaires. [CD] Sigma Theta Tau International 38th Biennial Convention . Indianapolis, IN.
Stepans, M.B., Wilhelm S., Rodehorst, T.K., Smith, D., Weinert, C. (2006). Lessons from the field: Rural nursing research; Rural sample collection: Now you see it, now you don't!! Communicating Nursing Research, 39, 151.

Presentations

Stepans, M., Rodehorst, K., Smith, D., Wilhelm, S., & Weinert, C. (2006, April). Long-term storage of urine and dust samples: Stability of cytokines and air allergens. Accepted for presentation at the 39th Annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference, Western Institute of Nursing, Albuquerque, NM.
Stepans, M., Wilhelm, S., Weinert, C., Rodehorst, T., & Smith, D. (2005, April). Testing protocols for rural sample data collection [poster]. 38th Annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference, Western Institute of Nursing, San Francisco, CA.
"Testing Protocols for Rural Sample Data Collection." 38th Bienneil Convention, Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN, November, 2005.
Rodehorst, K. "Evaluating protocols for the measurement of inflammatory biomarkers."
Stepans, M. "Evaluating a protocol to measure indoor air allergens."
Weinert, C. "Multi-site research: Testing protocols for rural sample data collection."
Wilhelm, S. "Analysis of application of computerized questionnaires."
Stepans, M.B., Wilhelm S., Rodehorst, T.K., Smith, D., Weinert, C. (2006, October). Lessons from the field: Rural nursing research; Rural sample collection: Now you see it, now you don't!! Improving Life: Development and dissemination of nursing innovation, National State of the Science Congress in Nursing Research, Washington, DC.

Grants

Screening for asthma among children in Northern Plains tribal communities. Native American Research Centers for Health [NARCH] (R05) Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS]; September, 2005- August, 2009; $197,856.00; NOT GM-04-107; T. K. Rodehorst, PI, S. Wilhelm, M.B.F. Stepans, Co-Investigators.