Background: The substance abuse prevention goal of the theatre production "TUNNELS" was to provide community education on substance abuse to an audience in Durham, NC and surrounding communities. The education effort intended to increase awareness and understanding of the risk and protective factors associated with alcohol and other drug use, and to promote pro-active behaviors in substance abuse prevention within the adult community. It was hypothesized that community-based education via drama would change attitudes toward alcohol and substance abuse, and increase participation in family and community activities aimed at substance abuse prevention.
The American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2011–2012 (Atlanta) reports that African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer (ACS, 2011) and that African Americans have the highest death rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States for nearly all cancers. The fact that 40 percent of African American males are being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 16 percent of African males are estimated to die from the condition, demands research and action. This study examines the effectiveness of theater in comparison to standard workshop/lecture in educating African American males about prostate cancer. Employing a retrospective/pre–post‐test design, the study recruited 127 men to attend theater and standard workshop/lectures. Researchers assessed the effectiveness of theater in increasing participants' knowledge and awareness about prostate cancer in comparison to standard workshop/lecture. Results of the study indicate statistically significant increases in knowledge for playgoers before and after the play. Participants also reported statistically significant increases in the likelihood of engaging in healthy pro‐social prostate‐related behaviors. In addition, results of the study indicate that the increase in knowledge for participants who attended the standard workshop/lecture was greater than the increase in knowledge for participants who attended the play. Thus standard workshop/lecture proved to be more effective in educating African American men about prostate cancer. The findings suggest that further research will be needed to identify more innovative educational tools to increase knowledge and alter health‐related behaviors.
Health disparities among African Americans have been of key concern for the past decade. High rates of morbidity due to HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer have led to the creation of new and more innovative efforts to educate African Americans about health disparities. The current paper is an assessment of the use of Community Theater to educate African Americans about breast and prostate cancers. To assess the effectiveness of theater, a team of health professionals, psychologists, and biomedical scientists were convened to develop two scripts written by a local playwright: “Stealing Clouds” which focused on breast cancer and “Fourth and a Mile” which focused on prostate cancer. A retrospective pre/post-test design with a 3-month delayed time series follow up was employed using surveys from participants upon viewing the plays. Results of both theatre presentations indicated that the plays were significant in increasing knowledge and awareness about both breast and prostate cancers. Furthermore, results indicated that participants, as a result of viewing the plays, reported increased likelihood of engaging in healthier behaviors (i.e., physician visits, testing). To assess the impact of Community Theatre as an effective medium, data was collected from a local health center indicating higher increases in mammography and prostate cancer exams as results of the plays. Given the high rates of cancer among African Americans, continued creation and evaluation of the effectiveness of such community-based efforts should be of key import in reducing and addressing cancer disparities.
Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4691.
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