Prostate Cancer Screening Behaviors in African-Americans and Their Partners
Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of death of men in US. Literature reveals that the primary cause of increased mortality and morbidity from PC in African American (AA) men is the lack of participation in PC screening.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of 125 AA and their partners (52 women and 73 men) recruited at community health-fairs in LAC. Survey was used to collect information about age, education, personal and family history of PC screening, and PC screening behavior, access, emotional concerns, and myths. Data were analyzed using SPSS V22.
Results: The mean age of participants was 52.44 years (SD=12.36 years), 76% were AA; 39% had college/technical graduate school. Among the AA men, two (3%) had prostate cancer, 22% had family member/friend with PC, and 31% received PC screening’ education. Both AA and their partners had similar screening’ related behavior and it myths (p>0.05). Significant difference was found between AA and their partners in emotional concerns (people doing prostate exams are rude, having a prostate cancer screening is embarrassing for my loved one) (p<0.05).
Implications: AA men and their partners had similar PC screening related behavior but differ in their emotional concerns. Participants need more PC screening related education to make an informed decision regarding follow-up and treatment. The community settings assist nurses and other healthcare team members to change the dynamic by which health information is exchanged. Community nursing enables providers to evaluate compliance to teaching as well as to disseminate ongoing healthcare information using community events as a facilitator. A culturally and linguistically appropriate education program to increase awareness/participation in PC screening and clinical trials is needed for AA.