Abstract 6131: Increasing self efficacy, self confidence, and genetic knowledge via the Community Genetic Navigation Engagement Specialist Train-the-Trainer program

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and third leading cause of cancer deaths in US Hispanic/Latino (H/L) men and women, respectively. The Community Genetic Navigation Specialists (CoGENES) train-the-trainer program created a workforce of community health workers (CHWs) to educate H/L individuals about genetic testing, counseling, and research. Methods: The CoGENES three-week program, consisted of six in-person sessions, with a curriculum in both Spanish/English developed and delivered by experts, in Spanish, using presentations and hands-on activities. Acculturation, Latino values, self-efficacy, genetics and tumor testing knowledge, and self-confidence were assessed via pre- and post-training. Differences in scores were analyzed via Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests with exact p-values. Results: Median age of the 12 participants was 50 (IQR = 12), 9 were female, 92% were Mexican-born, half completed 1-2 years of college, and 67% were very hispanic oriented. Self-efficacy increased after training, with pre- training median-score = 38. 5 (IQR = 3) and post-training score = 39. 5 (IQR =2. 5) (p = 0. 0547). Certainty about understanding tumor testing increased after training (p = 0. 0039). The median number of correct answers on the 16-item genetic knowledge scale increased from 6. 5 to 9. 5 and the median number of “don’t know” responses decreased from 5 to 0 after training. Finally, self-confidence to train future CoGENES was significantly higher (p = 0. 0098) at post-test. Conclusion: The CoGENES culturally tailored program led to improved self-efficacy, increased genetic knowledge, and self-confidence in a cohort of Hispanic community health educators. Findings will be shared within COPECC, and other NCI funded programs. Citation Format: Janet Rodriguez, Joel Sanchez Mendez, Yaneth L. Rodriguez, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Charité Ricker, Rosa Barahona, Bianca Rosales, Daisy Hernandez, Natalia Gutierrez, Julie Culver, Mariana Stern. Increasing self efficacy, self confidence, and genetic knowledge via the Community Genetic Navigation Engagement Specialist Train-the-Trainer program abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 6131.