2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Online Program

321889
An academic-community partnership to develop a computer-based aid for promoting informed prostate cancer screening decisions among African American men


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Otis L. Owens, MPH, PhD, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Daniela B. Friedman, MSc, PhD, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Jay M. Bernhardt, PhD, MPH, Center for Health Communication, University of Texas, Austin, TX
James R. Hebert, ScD, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background: Since African Americans are significantly more likely to die from prostate cancer (PrCA) than other racial groups, there is a critical need to identify innovative strategies for providing them with information about the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of screening and the importance of informed decision making (IDM). Interactive communication technologies such as computer-based decision aids (CBDAs) are promising channels for disseminating cancer information to diverse populations. To create a CBDA for increasing prostate knowledge, decision self-efficacy, and intention to make an informed decision, the study implemented an iterative approach to developing a culturally appropriate CBDA.  

Methods: A brief CBDA prototype containing PrCA information and interactive activities was developed. A sample of 21 African-American men ages 37-66 in South Carolina participated in one of seven 90-minute focus groups and completed a 36-item survey. Updates were made to the CBDA based on participant feedback. The CBDA and heuristic evaluation surveys were then distributed to six expert reviewers. Ten men from the focus groups were randomly selected to participate in interviews regarding usability of the CBDA.

Results: Participants and expert reviewers expressed consensus on many aspects of the CBDA, but some suggested changes to the format and graphics to enhance its effectiveness. Development and evaluation processes and implications will be discussed.

Conclusions: Using CBDAs to make informed decisions about PrCA screening may be appropriate for African-American men. It is important to engage the community and experts in an iterative development process to ensure that a CBDA is relevant for priority populations.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process for working with special populations to develop an agenda for e-technology to facilitate informed prostate cancer decision making.

Keyword(s): Cancer and Men’s Health, Health Promotion and Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD trained practitioner with multiple years of experience conducting prostate cancer, health communications, and health disparities research. The project on which I am presenting captures work that was accomplished through a doctoral dissertation and has been supported by some of the foremost experts in the country in cancer and health information technology.
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.

Back to: 4066.0: Culturally Competent and Community-Centered Health Communication: Health Interventions and Partnerships (organized by HCWG)