Developing prostate cancer prevention policies for minority populations: The Mississippi Prostate Cancer Prevention Project -Phase 1

Title:

Developing prostate cancer prevention policies for minority populations: The Mississippi Prostate Cancer Prevention Project -Phase 1

Introduction:

Recent research has posited that behavior modification alone may not be the panacea for health promotion and disease prevention, unless empowered by enabling policies especially in hard to reach minority groups/communities.

To be effective, policies for health promotion and disease prevention require drafting input from the target community. This paper presents a Community Engaged Participatory Research Model, using Rapid Assessment, Response and Evaluation (RARE) methodology to identify prostate cancer needs and develop policy with a community.

Method:

A Community Advisory Board (CAB) was formed and deployed to engage African American men and women and recruit participants for focus group discussions and questionnaire survey, to develop strategies to draft policies for prostate cancer prevention and advocacy. Focus group data were analyzed using thematic, hermeneutic approaches, and validated with the CAB. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Findings:

Focus group data indicated that community members had little knowledge of prostate health prevention facilities in their neighborhoods. Community members did not fully utilize prostate health prevention facilities. Specific prevention policy recommendations were suggested that best-fit community needs and resources.

Conclusion:

CABs are an essential factor to guide policy development and advocacy for prostate cancer prevention. Communities provide the needed setting and perspective to develop best-fit policies that will enhance the effectiveness of best practices for prostate cancer prevention among minority males.