5194.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #29483

Evaluation of "Take Charge: For men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer" video and booklet

Gerardine Wurzburg, MA1, Grady Watts, MA1, Barry Zamoff, PhD2, Richard Zamoff, PhD3, and Catherine Harbour, MPH1. (1) State of the Art, Inc., 4455 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste. B-200, Washington, DC 20008, (2) Zamoff Research Associates, 4905 Reno Road NW, Washington, DC 20008, (3) Department of Sociology, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Objectives. State of the Art developed a video and brochure, Take Charge: For Men Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, for decision-making and psychosocial support surrounding a prostate cancer diagnosis. The presentation will present results of an evaluation of the materials’ effectiveness. Methods. The video is a documentary profiling three prostate cancer survivors and their families and discusses treatment decisions, psychosocial support, and side effects including incontinence and impotence. It was developed using qualitative and quantitative research methods, which will be described. Quantitative evaluation of materials was conducted with a sample of 72 recently diagnosed men, primarily recruited through six cancer centers, who were randomized into treatment and control groups in a classic pretest/posttest design. Results. Treatment group found the video and brochure to be helpful for dealing with their diagnosis. The video increased their knowledge (65.9%), improved their outlook (51.2%) and helped in their planning (63.5%). There was some indication that African-American men, married men, men with lower educational attainment, and men with lower incomes rated the helpfulness of the video more highly than did white men, unmarried men, men with higher educational attainment, and men with higher incomes. Participants felt the companion brochure was useful, particularly the glossary and sections on treatments, asking questions, staying organized, trusting oneself, and dealing with setbacks. Conclusions. Take Charge is a useful health education tool for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Further study is needed to determine its effectiveness with specific groups and as part of a multi-channel intervention.

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify 3 types of support important for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. 2. Describe a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of a video. 3. Describe some of the challenges faced by men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Keywords: Cancer, Media

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: State of the Art, Inc.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA