Studies were conducted by MOTTEP of Richmond during the years of 1993 and 1994 on the health awareness level of minorities in the central and eastern Virginia area hospitals. Surveying posts were established in the emergency room waiting areas of nine different hospitals of central and eastern Virginia. The participants of the surveys were patients who came to the emergency rooms with non-life threatening illnesses. It was well known that many low-income minorities would use the emergency room as a source of their primary medical attention rather than a physician’s private office. All questions on the survey were designed on a forth grade reading and comprehension level. Questions on the surveys included health behavioral practices, basic knowledge of diseases, knowledge of donation, knowledge of various organ function, economic status, education status, etc.

These studies revealed the need for multiple levels of health awareness intervention among the minority communities MOTTEP of Richmond set out to enhance the awareness level through weekly programming on local gospel radio stations and public access television stations. The radio and television programs used a call in format so that its listeners and viewers could talk with health professionals, other patients, community leaders, clergy, social workers, as well as city and state government representatives about their issues of concern. We have developed educational materials about the health issues of disease prevention and organ donation for fourth and fifth graders, high schools and colleges and universities. We have also designed culturally sensitive brochures and pamphlets to be distributed in local area businesses. While our major area of focus is to increase awareness of donation and transplantation, a three year campaign of education resulted in an increase in the donation rate among minorities in central and eastern Virginia from 8% in 1992 to 57% in 1995.

While the long term measurement of success will be how many ethnic minorities actually become organ and tissue donors, living or upon their death, and how the decrease of minorities actually needing transplants, on a short-term basis, we measure our success the number of individuals who pledge to have a family discussion about organ and tissue donation, sign donor cards, pledge to change unhealthy behaviors and actually participate in the health screenings. We also monitor the number of individuals who are in attendance at community or MOTTEP sponsored events, the number of donor cards signed and witnessed at events and the donation rate at the end of each fiscal year.

In addition, the qualitative and quantitative surveys allow MOTTEP to gauge its effectiveness. The pre/post surveys provide information as to whether participants actually knew anything about donation and transplantation prior to the presentation as well as insight into the individual’s health habits.

Follow up telephone interviews are held 2-6 months after the presentation with consenting participants to determine if:
1) A donor card was actually signed.
2) A family discussion was held.
3) Additional information is needed.
4) Behaviors were modified toward a healthier lifestyle.