Change in Knowledge After Receiving Personal Air Pollution Results

Overview

Personal exposure to air pollution results from the interaction of individual time-activity patterns with levels of air pollution that vary over time and space. The increasing use of personal monitors capable of measuring geo-located and real-time air pollution in epidemiologic studies requires novel human subject considerations. Reporting individual exposure data back to participants is considered best practice in environmental health research using biomonitoring data and is beneficial to both study participants and researchers. The investigators believe that providing individual results of personal air monitoring may be more informative than biomonitoring data given the potential to increase participants' awareness of their exposure, identify specific locations and times of elevated exposures, and inform behavioral changes to decrease exposure and risk of adverse health outcomes.

Personal exposure to air pollution results from the interaction of individual time-activity patterns with levels of air pollution that vary over time and space. Thus, personal monitors worn by study participants during daily living are considered the "gold-standard" to assess individual-level air pollution exposure. The increasing use of personal monitors capable of measuring geo-located and real-time air pollution in epidemiologic studies requires novel human subject considerations. In contrast with stationary air monitoring or models to estimate air pollution exposure, personal monitors provide a depth of insight and actionable information that is analogous to biological monitoring of chemical exposures. Reporting individual exposure data back to participants is considered best practice in environmental health research using biomonitoring data and is beneficial to both study participants and researchers. The investigators believe that providing individual results of personal air monitoring may be more informative than biomonitoring data given the potential to increase participants' awareness of their exposure, identify specific locations and times of elevated exposures, and inform behavioral changes to decrease exposure and risk of adverse health outcomes. Previously, the investigators enrolled adolescents in our Ecological Momentary Assessment and Personal Particle Exposure (EcoMAPPE) study (IRB #2017-1068) and measured personal exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs; particulate matter \<100 nm in diameter). Recently, the investigators conducted focus groups with a subset of EcoMAPPE participants (n = 16, IRB#: 2019-1003) with the purpose of co-designing information and report-back materials to provide study subjects' their individual results from personal sampling during their participation in the EcoMAPPE study. The overarching hypothesis of this current study is that providing EcoMAPPE participants and their caregivers with the results of their personal air pollution monitoring will increase their awareness and knowledge of their exposure to air pollution and strategies to reduce their exposure. The investigators propose one specific aim as part of this protocol: Aim 1: To increase study participants understanding of air pollution, associated health effects, and engagement with research. All EcoMAPPE participants and their caregivers will be invited to complete a questionnaire to assess their understanding of air pollution and attitudes and beliefs about science and research before and after receiving their individual study air pollution monitoring results collected as part of their participation in EcoMAPPE. All EcoMAPPE participants will be provided with their study results irrespective of their participation in this study. The investigators will send an email invitation to caregivers of participants enrolled in the EcoMAPPE study. The investigators will also follow-up email invitations by phone call to provide additional information to EcoMAPPE participants and caregivers. Given that participants were ages 13-17 at enrollment, some EcoMAPPE participants are now adults (\> 18 years of age) and the inestigators will also send an email invitation to participate to those participants. The email will contain information about the current study's objective and methods and a link to complete an electronic consent. The electronic consent will be completed by the participant (for those \> 18) or their caregiver (for those \< 18). The consent will specify that all EcoMAPPE participants and caregivers will receive their individual results irrespective of participating in this study. Following caregiver consent to participate in the study, participants will receive an invitation to participate and link to an electronic assent. Following consent and assent, participants and their caregivers will each receive a "Report-Back Pre-Survey" via link to an electronic (Redcap) questionnaire. Participants and caregivers will complete the survey online via Redcap. Following the completion of the "Report-Back Pre-Survey" caregivers and participants will receive an electronic (html) document containing the results of their EcoMAPPE participation. This report-back document contains information about the EcoMAPPE study, ultrafine particles, and the results of their individual personal sampling. The electronic (html) report-back document will be sent via Redcap. After downloading and reviewing their personal report back document, participants and caregivers will receive a "Report-Back Post Survey" via link to an electronic REDCap questionnaire (attached). The "Report-Back Post Survey" will be similar to the "Report-Back Post Survey" and will ascertain changes in participants/caregivers attitudes and knowledge regarding air pollution and research. If necessary (i.e. participant or parent does not have email), consenting and administration of study surveys will be done through an in person visit. The investigators will compare changes in responses to questions on the Pre and Post Surveys using the paired t-test for questions answered on a 5-point Likert scale.