174059 Developing prostate cancer prevention policies for minority populations: The Mississippi Prostate Cancer Prevention Project -Phase 1

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:10 AM

Joyce Buckner-Brown, PhD, MHS, RRT , Department of Health Policy & Management, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Sudharshanam Karakala, MBBS, MPH , Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Olugbemiga Tanilepada Ekundayo, MD, MPH, DrPH , Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Gerri A. Cannon-Smith, MD, MPH , School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Brandon, MS
Sridevi Alla, MBBS , STD/HIV Bureau, Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson, MS
Mario J. Azevedo, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
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.

Learning Objectives:
1. Outline the features of a prostate cancer prevention community advisory board 2. List steps in recruiting participants for a focus group discussion by a community advisory board 3. List specific policy questions for a focus group in developing prostate cancer policy 4. List prostate cancer prevention policy recommendations by a community

Keywords: Advocacy, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked as a graduate research fellow with the Prinicipal and Co-PI on this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.