Effect of a family-based multimedia program on the utilisation rate of colorectal cancer screening among South Asian older adults in Hong Kong

ISRCTN ISRCTN72829325
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN72829325
Submission date
10/07/2018
Registration date
19/07/2018
Last edited
14/07/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the risk of its development increases with age. It is therefore of great importance to undertake preventive measures against colorectal cancer in order to reduce its increasing prevalence. Undergoing cancer screening is one of the most effective ways of preventing the development of colorectal cancer through early detection, leading to increased chances of successful treatment and survival. Despite the proven benefits of cancer screening, studies showed that South Asian ethnic minorities, both in Hong Kong and worldwide, do not tend to use the publicly available cancer screening services, resulting in a higher chance of these individuals developing colorectal cancer, particularly among older adults. It was shown that their reduced tendency to undergo cancer screening is partly contributed by their low level of health knowledge and barriers to accessing health and cancer preventive services. In view of this, educational programmes are required to educate older South Asians ethnic minorities on the importance of cancer screening. With studies showing that younger family members educated on the importance of cancer screening are more able to recommend their older family members to undergo cancer screening, such an education programme should be targeted for families rather than older adults alone. This study aims to develop a multimedia health promotion programme for families of South Asian ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, to increase their awareness of the importance of undergoing cancer screening in colorectal cancer prevention.

Who can participate?
Pairs of healthy South Asian (Indian, Pakistani and Nepali) adults living in Hong Kong, comprising a younger family member aged between 18 and 61 and an older family member aged between 62 and 71

What does the study involve?
Each pair of participants is randomly allocated into either group A or group B. Participants in group A receive the educational programme. It is delivered in one session using multiple means including a health talk on colorectal cancer and cancer screening, presentation of a video clip depicting the benefits of family support in motivating an older family member to undergo cancer screening, and a health information booklet. Participants in group B receive this programme after those in group A have completed the programme. For participants in both groups, before and after group A participants have received the programme, the researchers assess the following: whether the younger family members of each participant pair are willing to encourage their older family members to consult a family doctor for undertaking colorectal cancer screening, and are prepared to assist older family members in collecting samples for colorectal cancer screening; whether the older family members of each participant pair have seen a family doctor for an appointment in colorectal cancer screening. The researchers also assess whether participants in both groups are satisfied with the programme after they have attended it.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The immediate benefit for the participants receiving the educational programme will be their increased awareness of the importance of undertaking cancer screening. They will be empowered to use cancer screening more regularly, enabling them to prevent colorectal cancer more effectively. No risks of physical or mental harm are expected.

Where is the study run from?
The programme will be run at South Asian community centres, ethnic minority associations and non-governmental organisations that provide support services for local South Asians, in various districts of Hong Kong

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2018 to November 2021

Who is funding the study?
Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Winnie K.W. So

Contact information

Prof Winnie KW So
Scientific

Room 731
Esther Lee Building
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin
Hong Kong SAR
-
Hong Kong

Study information

Study designProspective randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Community
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleEffect of a family-based multimedia intervention on the uptake of colorectal cancer screening among South Asian older adults in Hong Kong: a randomised control trial
Study objectivesThe intervention will be effective in enhancing the utilisation rate of colorectal cancer screening among South Asians in Hong Kong.
Ethics approval(s)The Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong – New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee, 02/02/2018, CREC Ref no: 2017.536-T
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedColorectal cancer
InterventionEach pair of participants will be assigned into either group A or group B. Participants in group A will receive the educational programme. It is delivered in one session, using multiple means including a health talk on colorectal cancer and cancer screening, presentation of a video clip depicting the benefits of family support in motivating an older family member to undergo cancer screening and a health information booklet. Participants in group B (wait-list control group) will receive this programme after those in group A have completed the post-intervention follow-up data collection. For participants in both groups, the following parameters will be assessed before and after group A participants have received the programme: 1) Whether the younger family members of each participant pair are willing to encourage their older family members to consult a family doctor for undertaking colorectal cancer screening, and are prepared to assist older family members in collecting samples for colorectal cancer screening; 2) Whether the older family members of each participant pair have seen a family doctor for an appointment in colorectal cancer screening. The study will also assess whether participants in both groups are satisfied with the programme after they have attended it.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureUptake of fecal occult blood test (FOBT), measured by ‘number of South Asians aged 62-71 who go to see a family doctor with a stool sample’ / ‘total number of participants in each group’. Number of participants who provided a stool sample for FOBT will be determined from the record on whether a stool sample is delivered to the family doctor by the participants for the FOBT. This record will be taken about two months after the intervention is delivered.
Secondary outcome measures1. Number of participants who consulted a family doctor for FOBT, determined from the participants’ record of attendance to the participants’ family doctors for consultation on FOBT. This record will be taken about one month after the intervention is delivered
2. Number of younger adults who express their willingness in encouraging their older family members or relatives aged between 62 and 71 to consult a family doctor for a FOBT, measured both at baseline (before the intervention) and immediately after the intervention is delivered
3. Number of younger adults who express their readiness to assist their older family members or relatives aged between 62 and 71 to collect a stool sample for FOBT, measured both at baseline (before the intervention) and immediately after the intervention is delivered
Overall study start date01/09/2018
Completion date25/11/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupMixed
SexBoth
Target number of participants320 dyads
Total final enrolment320
Key inclusion criteriaSouth Asians (Indian, Pakistani or Nepalese) including younger family members/relatives aged 18 to 61, and older adults aged 62 to 71, living in Hong Kong
Key exclusion criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Date of first enrolment01/09/2019
Date of final enrolment18/08/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Hong Kong

Study participating centre

South Asian community centres and non-governmental organizations in six districts (Wanchai, Sham Shui Po, Islands District, Yuen Long, Yau Tsim Mong, Tusen Wan) will be approached to ask for their support in subject recruitment
Hong Kong
-
Hong Kong

Sponsor information

Food and Health Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong SAR
Government

Research Office
Food and Health Bureau
9/F, Rumsey Street Multi-storey Carpark Building
2 Rumsey Street, Sheung Wan
Hong Kong SAR
-
Hong Kong

Website https://rfs1.fhb.gov.hk/english/funds/funds_hcpf/funds_hcpf_abt/funds_hcpf_abt.html
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03qh32912

Funders

Funder type

Government

Food and Health Bureau
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Food and Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 特別行政區政府食物及衞生局, FHB
Location
Hong Kong

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/08/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planDocuments including study protocol, statistical analysis plans and informed consent form will not be made publicly available, but they will be available upon request. Findings of the study will be disseminated through publications in internationally-refereed journals and presentations at local or international conferences, after the analysis of data has been performed.

Updated 09/04/2019:
The researchers plan to publish the study protocol associated with this study, and the results obtained from this study, in a peer-reviewed journal. They also plan to disseminate the study findings through presentations at local or international conferences.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 28/05/2019 30/05/2019 Yes No
Results article 20/04/2022 27/05/2022 Yes No

Editorial Notes

14/07/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 30/06/2021 to 25/11/2021.
2. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
27/05/2022: Publication reference added.
03/06/2021: Internal review.
10/09/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 30/09/2020 to 18/08/2020.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added.
06/04/2020: Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused. The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/03/2020 to 30/09/2020.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from31/10/2020 to 30/06/2021.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/02/2021 to 31/08/2021.
14/02/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/01/2020 to 31/03/2020.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/08/2020 to 31/10/2020.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/12/2020 to 01/02/2021.
30/05/2019: Publication reference added.
09/04/2019: Publication and dissemination plan and IPD sharing statement updated.