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DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTER ASSISTED PERSONAL INTERVIEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR COLLECTION OF TRIBAL FISH CONSUMPTION DATA
Citation:
KISSINGER, L., A. H. WILLIAMS, B. MITTL, B. LASRADO, S. IWENOFU, R. L. CALDERON, V. OLIVO, C. HELBA, AND P. CAPOEMAN. DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTER ASSISTED PERSONAL INTERVIEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR COLLECTION OF TRIBAL FISH CONSUMPTION DATA. Presented at 2007 USEPA National Forum on Contaminants, Portland, ME, July 23 - 26, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
research results
Description:
Abstract: Native Americans who consume seafood often have higher seafood consumption rates and consequently greater exposures to contaminants in seafood than the general U.S. population. Defensible and quantifiable tribal seafood consumption rates are needed for development of water quality standards by tribes as well as assessment of seafood contaminant risks to tribal members. EPA Region 10 has over 200 tribes, and seafood consumption information is only available for a small number of them. Additional tribal seafood consumption data are needed to characterize variations in tribal seafood consumption practices. The expenses and resources necessary to conduct well designed tribal seafood consumption surveys have been an obstacle to data collection. In 2003, EPA Region 10 and NHEERL developed a proposal to create computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) software that would serve as a tool for tribes to conduct well-designed seafood consumption surveys using fewer resources. NHEERL and WESTAT, in partnership with EPA Region 10, developed a Microsoft Access based CAPI survey instrument derived from methodology used in a 2000 Suquamish Tribe seafood consumption survey. The Suquamish survey was the most recent of a number of Pacific Northwest seafood consumption surveys utilizing similar methodology. The CAPI has two main components, a 24 hour recall of seafood consumption and a survey of seafood consumption throughout the year. Consumption questions are asked at the species level followed by questions at the species group level. Assignment of species to groups is based on behavioral characteristics expected to influence organism contaminant concentrations (e.g. feeding behavior). Seafood consumption by children, seafood consumption at tribal events, sources of seafood, seafood parts consumed, and seafood harvest locations are also recorded. A booklet of species and preparation images is used to support CAPI administration. The CAPI may be deployed on multiple laptops allowing multiple interviewers to collect data in the field. Field data may then be integrated on a central computer. CAPI query and data reporting capabilities allow calculation of basic seafood consumption statistics on either a complete survey data set or data subsets. The Quinault Indian Nation participated in customizing the CAPI for Quinault use, followed by CAPI pilot testing in spring of 2006. Quinault Indian Nation members were trained in survey administration techniques and software use and then conducted pilot interviews with Quinault Indian Nation members. Post pilot survey evaluations of interviewers and survey participants supported conclusions that the software was both easy to use and accurately recorded Quinault seafood consumption. This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.