Increasing Prostate Cancer Screening among African American Men

The study evaluates the impact of prostate cancer education on screening rates among African American men in rural Black Belt counties in Alabama. The goal of the study is to promote screening behavior in African American men. The objectives were: 1) to identify enablers and barriers to screening; 2) to develop and test the effectiveness of an education intervention; and 3) to determine the impact of the intervention on prostate cancer screening rates through follow-up survey. The study followed a quasi-experimental three-phase design: 1) focus group, 2) education intervention, and 3) follow-up. Focus groups (N=76) indicate men are reluctant to talk about their health with anyone. Analysis of pre-test and post-test paired t-test indicate a significant increase in knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer (85%). Follow-up survey results indicate that 48% (N=105) of the participants who had not been screened within the last 12 months were screened after attending the education session.