Innovative and Community-Guided Evaluation and Dissemination of a Prostate Cancer Education Program for African-American Men and Women

Abstract

African Americans (AA) are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. The aims of this research were to: (1) evaluate current education materials being implemented in a community-based prostate cancer education program for AA communities; (2) refine materials based on findings from Aim 1; (3) share updated materials with participants from Aim 1 for additional improvements; and (4) disseminate and evaluate the improved education program through a statewide videoconference with AA men and women. AA individuals evaluated the current education program through a mail survey (n=32) and community forum (n=38). Participants reported that the existing prostate cancer education program content could be understood by lay persons, but recommendations for improvement were identified. They included: defining unknown and/or scientific terminology, increasing readability by increasing font size and enlarging images, and including more recent and relevant statistics. Following refinement of the education materials based on survey and forum feedback, a statewide videoconference was implemented. Following the videoconference, participants (25 men; 3 women) reported that they would encourage others to learn more about prostate cancer, talk to their doctor about whether or not to get screened for prostate cancer, and would recommend the conference to others. There is great potential for using this type of iterative approach to education program development with community and clinical partners for others conducting similar work.

Increasing Routine Cancer Screening Among Underserved Populations Through Effective Communication Strategies: Application of a Health Literacy Framework

“…Thus, a community-engaged approach will be beneficial to identify target populations that are at risk for cancer and/or medically underserved, develop and test appropriate health communication materials regarding both the role of FQHCs and the topic of cancer, and sustain interventions/programs in the community, while assuring that information and services are culturally and linguistically appropriate [33]. …”

Commentary: Building an Evidence Base for Promoting Informed Prostate Cancer Screening Decisions: An Overview of a Cancer Prevention and Control Program

“…Materials were evaluated through a mailed survey to 32 participants and a community forum with 38 additional participants. The research team received positive feedback with some recommended improvements, 23 including clarifying technical terms, enlarging text and images, and including more of the latest statistics on PrCA. The education program (presented by physicians, researchers, and PrCA survivors) was then disseminated to participants via broadcast at three academic and community institutions across the state.…”

“…The education program (presented by physicians, researchers, and PrCA survivors) was then disseminated to participants via broadcast at three academic and community institutions across the state. 23 Videoconference attendees (25 men; 3 women) reported being empowered to communicate with their health care providers and/ or others about PrCA. 23 Participants also expressed satisfaction with receiving information through a videoconference modality.…”

“…23 Videoconference attendees (25 men; 3 women) reported being empowered to communicate with their health care providers and/ or others about PrCA. 23 Participants also expressed satisfaction with receiving information through a videoconference modality. 23 The video conferences were also made available online so that other organizations and individuals across the state could access them for informational purposes.…”

“…23 Participants also expressed satisfaction with receiving information through a videoconference modality. 23 The video conferences were also made available online so that other organizations and individuals across the state could access them for informational purposes.…”