Development of a Spiritually-based Prostate Cancer Informed Decision Making Educational Program for African American Men

1. Development of a Spiritually-based Prostate Cancer Informed Decision Making Educational Program for African American Men:A Feasibility Study Cheryl L. Holt, PhD; Theresa A. Wynn, PhD; Penny Southward, MPPM; Emily Schulz, PhD, OTR/L, CFLE; Sanford Jeames, MA; Mark Litaker, PhD University of Alabama at Birmingham – School of Medicine – Division of Preventive Medicine Introduction Method Results This research examined the development and pilot testing of a spiritually-based educational program designed to promote informed decision making (IDM) for prostate cancer among church-attending African American men age 45 and older using community based participatory research principles. • Phase 1: Advisory Panel Role in Intervention Development • Advisory Panel members recruited from a local church • 9 African American men • Provided input into all aspects of the intervention • Received $100 for participation • Phase 2: Pilot testing the Intervention for Acceptability (Focus Groups A & B: Print-based Materials) • Two groups of 8 African American men • Recruited from local churches to participate in a focus group • Eligibility criteria: African American male, age 45 or older, no history of prostate cancer • Provided feedback on the appropriateness of graphic design and content • Received $25 for participation • Phase 3: Cognitive Response Interviews • 10 African American men who met the above eligibility criteria were recruited from local churches • Participated in 1-hour interview to read passages and answer open-ended questions about what they read • Received $25 for participation Background • African American men are 60% more likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it as compared to European-American men.1 • The benefits of screening and treatment remain unclear for many men.2 • Informed decision making (IDM) is the focus of educational interventions, in which men make the best choice based on their risk assessment, values, and preferences.3 Purpose • With the assistance of community members: • Develop and pilot test spiritually-based educational print materials through focus groups and cognitive response testing. Prototype and Logo Development Literature Review Literature cited 1. Stanford JL, Stephenson RA, Coyle LM, et al. Prostate cancer trends 1973-1995, SEER Program. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 1999. 2. Harris TM, Parrott R, Dorgan KA. Talking about human genetics within religious frameworks. Health Commun. 2004;16(1):105-116. 3. Taylor RJ, Chatters LM, Jayakody R, Levin JS. Black and white differences in religious participation: A multisample comparison. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 1996;35(4):403-410. 4. Levin JS, Taylor RJ, Chatters LM. Race and gender differences in religiosity among older adults: Findings from four national surveys. Journal of Gerontology. 1994;49(3):S137-S145. 5. Lincoln, C. E., & Mamiya, L. H. The Black church in the African American experience. 1990. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Conclusions It is thought that one way of making church-based cancer communication interventions more culturally appropriate is to integrate spiritually-based content. Using the newly developed spiritually-based educational booklet, the feasibility of a spiritually-based prostate cancer screening IDM intervention will be established, and preliminary data for efficacy will be provided. The intention of the spiritually-based intervention is to work within churches and use the existing spiritual aspects of the culture to support and convey the health message. The intention is not to increase religiosity or spirituality. The aim is to make a cancer communication intervention more culturally appropriate and personally relevant for this population by working within important cultural belief systems.