PEP Talk: Prostate Education Program, "Cutting Through the Uncertainty of Prostate Cancer for Black Men Using Decision Support Instruments in Barbershops".

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using decision support instruments (DSI) to assist African-American (AA) men in making a prostate cancer (CaP) screening decision. This nonrandomized pretest-posttest comparison study assessed two DSI that were either culturally tailored or culturally nonspecific. CaP knowledge, intention to screen, and preferences were assessed before and after exposure to DSI using a convenience sample of 120 AA men aged 40 years and above. Participants interested in screening were referred to healthcare providers through a community-based patient navigator to obtain prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. We followed up 3 months after to determine if participants screened for CaP. CaP knowledge increased following exposure to both DSI in equivalent proportions. While similar proportions of men ultimately intended on having a PSA test following both DSI, bivariate analysis revealed that the culturally tailored DSI demonstrated a statistically significant increase in intention to screen. Participants' degree of certainty in their decision-making process with regard to CaP screening increased following the culturally tailored DSI (p < .001). The majority of participants planned on discussing CaP screening with a healthcare provider upon completion of the study. Barbershop-based health education can change the knowledge, preferences, intentions, and behaviors of this at-risk population. At 3 months follow-up, half (n = 58) of the participants underwent PSA testing, which led to the diagnosis of CaP in one participant. Community-led interventions for CaP, such as cluster-randomized designs in barbershops, are needed to better assess the efficacy of DSI in community settings.

Community perceptions and utilization of a consumer health center.

The purpose of this study was to understand factors that may affect the usage of a consumer health center located in a public library. More specifically, the authors wanted to know what health resources are of interest to the community, what patrons' perceptions of their experience at the center are, and finally, how staff can increase utilization of the center. In general, perceptions of the center were positive. The findings support that participants appreciate efforts to provide health information in the public library setting and that utilization could be improved through marketing and outreach.

Partnering with health care systems to assess tobacco treatment practices and beliefs among clinicians: evaluating the process.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a major cause of preventable illness and death. However, clinician use of an evidence-based guideline for treatment of tobacco use is low. This case study describes the process for conducting a pre-intervention assessment of clinician practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: Louisiana State University Health System, one of the largest safety-net public hospital systems in the United States, consists of 10 facilities in population centers across the state of Louisiana. The system serves a large proportion of the state's underinsured and uninsured, low-income, and racial/ethnic minority populations, groups that have high rates of tobacco use. METHODS: Activities included 1) partnering with hospital administrators to generate support for conducting a clinician assessment, 2) identifying and adapting a survey tool to assess clinicians' practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use, 3) developing a survey protocol and obtaining approval from the institutional review board, and 4) administering the survey electronically, using the hospital's e-mail system. OUTCOME: Existing partnerships and system resources aided survey administration. Use of the hospital's internal e-mail system and distribution of an online survey were effective means to engage clinicians. Following notification, 43.6% of 4,508 clinicians opened their e-mail containing the invitation letter with a Web link to the survey; of these, 83.1% (1,634) completed the survey. INTERPRETATION: Partnering with stakeholders and using existing resources within the health care system are essential to successful implementation of a system-wide survey of clinician practices and beliefs regarding treatment of tobacco use.

The role of trust in health decision making among African American men recruited from urban barbershops.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors within the patient-provider relationship that influence which role African American men aged 40-70 years prefer when making health care decisions. METHODS: We recruited 40 African American men from barbershops in the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area to participate in semistructured interviews. At the completion of each interview, participants completed a brief self-administered demographic survey. The semistructured interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and then imported into a qualitative software program for organizing, sorting, and coding data. The principles of thematic analysis and template approach were used in this study. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Trust was a major theme that emerged from the semistructured interviews. The men listed trust in the health care provider as the primary reason for choosing a collaborative or active role in the decision-making process. Within the theme of trust, 4 subthemes emerged: expertise, information sharing, active listening, and relationship length. Thirty-five out of the 40 men interviewed preferred an active or collaborative role in the decision-making process; only 5 preferred passive decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Trust emerged as an important factor that influenced role preference for African American men when making health care decisions in the context of the patient-provider relationship. Future studies that help identify which other factors influence health care decision-making roles among African American men may have implications for addressing health disparities among this population and improve the quality of their health care.

Psychosocial issues related to sexual functioning among African-American prostate cancer survivors and their spouses.

OBJECTIVE: Focus on cancer survivorship and quality of life (QOL) is a growing priority. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the most salient psychosocial concerns related to sexual functioning among African-American (AA) prostate cancer survivors and their spouses. METHODS: Twelve AA prostate cancer survivors and their spouses participated in semi-structured individual interviews. The interviews assessed couples' experiences with psychosocial adjustment and sexual functioning posttreatment for localized prostate cancer. The data were analyzed using the constant comparison method and content analysis. RESULTS: In this qualitative study of couples surviving prostate cancer, there were divergent views between the male prostate cancer survivors and their female partners, particularly regarding sexual functioning. For the males, QOL issues emerged as the primary area of concern, whereas survival of their husbands was considered most important among the female spouses. The male respondents expressed unease with the sexual side effects of their cancer treatment, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual desire and satisfaction. Female spouses recognized decreased sexual desire in their partners following treatment, but this was not considered a primary concern. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and their spouses may have differing perceptions regarding QOL and the impact of sexual functioning on survivorship. This study points to the need for further research and intervention development to address these domains with a goal to improve QOL.

Acute effects of cigarillo smoking.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarillo smoking likely exposes users to many of the same toxicants (e.g., nicotine, carbon monoxide [CO]) as cigarette smoking. Yet, few controlled clinical laboratory studies evaluating of the effects of cigarillos exist. This study evaluated the cardiovascular response, toxicant exposure, subjective effects, and puffing topography of a popular cigarillo brand, Black & Mild (B&M). METHODS: Sixteen B&M smokers (M ± SD = 1.9 ± 2.5 cigarillos/day for 3.4 ± 3.5 years) participated in 2 counterbalanced conditions: lit (ACTIVE) or unlit (SHAM) B&M in which they completed two 10-puff smoking bouts (30-s interpuff intervals). RESULTS: Plasma nicotine concentrations for ACTIVE increased significantly from pre-smoking (M ± SEM = 2.0 ± 0.0 ng/ml) to 5 min after Bouts 1 (5.3 ± 0.8 ng/ml) and 2 (4.9 ± 0.9 ng/ml) but did not increase above 2.0 ± 0.0 ng/ml at any timepoint for SHAM. Heart rate increased significantly from pre- to post-smoking for ACTIVE but not for SHAM. Average expired-air CO levels, collapsed across time, were 14.3 ± 0.8 ppm for ACTIVE and 4.5 ± 0.2 ppm for SHAM. Neither condition reduced symptoms of nicotine/tobacco abstinence reliably, although ratings for some measures were significantly lower for ACTIVE than for SHAM. ACTIVE, but not SHAM, produced a variety of positive effects related to product sensory characteristics (e.g., "satisfying," "pleasant"). Smoking topography did not differ across the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Ten puffs from a B&M cigarillo deliver active doses of nicotine and considerable amounts of CO but do not suppress abstinence-induced withdrawal symptoms reliably. The nicotine delivery profile suggests that cigarillo smoking may promote nicotine/tobacco dependence and the CO exposure likely poses significant health risks.

Process evaluation results from the Eating for a Healthy Life study.

PURPOSE: Conduct a process evaluation of a low-fat, high-fruit/vegetable dietary intervention in religious organizations (ROs). The purpose of this process evaluation was to explore differences in healthy eating activities between the intervention and delayed control ROs and among the intervention ROs to identify the intervention activities most associated with dietary change. METHODS: Process data were collected via phone surveys and participation logs. A 12-month follow-up phone survey was conducted with an RO representative from intervention and delayed control ROs. The survey asked about healthy eating activities. Eating for a Healthy Life staff maintained participation logs of intervention RO participation in intervention activities: advisory board meetings, volunteer activities, healthy eating sessions, social events, dietary change mailings, print advertisements, and motivational messages. We used a stepwise regression model to determine which intervention activities were associated with changes in fat- and fiber-related dietary behaviors. RESULTS: RO member participation in advisory board meetings, social activities, and healthy eating sessions were associated with healthier fat- and fiber-related dietary behaviors. Greater RO attendance at advisory board meetings and greater numbers of healthy eating sessions at the RO were associated with decreased fat-related dietary behaviors (p < or = .05). Member participation in social activities was associated with more favorable fat, fruit, and vegetable intake. CONCLUSION: We successfully delivered an increased number of healthy activities at the intervention ROs and improved dietary-related behaviors.

Effects of a multilevel dietary intervention in religious organizations.

PURPOSE: This study examined how to improve dietary habits of individuals from the general public. DESIGN: The Eating for a Healthy Life project was a randomized trial. SETTING: The study was conducted among members of religious organizations (ROs). SUBJECTS: Participants were a sample of RO members. INTERVENTION: The intervention was a multilevel package, based on our previous experience, designed to lower fat and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. MEASURES: The Eating Behaviors Questionnaire was administered preintervention and postintervention, together with 24-hour food recalls in a randomly selected subset. Analysis. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the study's intervention, incorporating the design effects of blocking, intraclass correlation within RO, and correlation between the preintervention and postintervention points. RESULTS: Participants (n = 2175) reported significantly healthier dietary behaviors in intervention ROs at the 12-month follow-up period, compared to participants in the comparison ROs, for a fat scale change of .08 summary scale points and an adjusted intervention effect of .06 overall. CONCLUSION: Dietary intervention through ROs is a positive and successful method of changing dietary habits.

Health decision-making preferences among African American men recruited from urban barbershops.

OBJECTIVE: To examine general health decision-making roles among African American men ages 40 to 70 recruited in barbershops in the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area. METHODS: We adapted the 1-item Control Preference scale to study the associations between health decision-making role preferences and demographic variables. Forty African-American men were recruited from barbershops to complete a self-administered survey. After performing descriptive statistics, we dichotomized our outcome into active vs nonactive (collaborative or passive) decision makers. Data were then analyzed using chi2, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank sum, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Fifteen subjects responded that they engaged in active decision making, 20 in collaborative, and 5 in passive decision making. Almost all (86.7%) active decision makers were home owners, vs 41.7% of nonactive decision makers. Among active decision makers, 46.7% had incomes of more than $70000, vs 12.5% of nonactive decision makers. The active group reported health status that was good to excellent, while 20.8% of those in the nonactive group reported poor/fair health. CONCLUSION: African American male barbershop clients preferred an active or collaborative health decision-making role with their physician, rather than a passive role. The relationship among home ownership, income, and decision style may best be understood by considering the historical and cultural influences on gender role socialization among African American males. More comprehensive assessment of decision styles is necessary to better understand health decision making among African American male patients.

Recruiting African-American barbershops for prostate cancer education.

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. African-American men bear a disproportionate burden of prostate cancer diagnosis and mortality. Current guidelines for prostate cancer screening differ among various medical organizations. Therefore, it is important that African-American men have the appropriate information needed to make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening. Unfortunately, a large percentage of African-American men could potentially be excluded from receiving culturally appropriate prostate cancer education. Therefore, a study was designed to recruit and intervene with African-American men and barbershops for increasing prostate cancer screening decision-making. The purpose of this study was to learn effective strategies for recruiting African-American barbershops for prostate cancer education and to determine barbershop proprietors' willingness to allow their barbershops to be used for research. In this paper, we present the outcomes of our recruitment methods for African-American barbershops, including a comparative description of participating and nonparticipating barbershops using the iMark Data System. One-hundred percent of the surveyed proprietors reported that they would allow their clients to learn about prostate cancer. Ninety-six percent reported they would consider allowing their clients to have access to handheld computers to learn about prostate cancer. We conclude from this study that African-American barbershops in general are welcoming environments in which to implement community-based prostate cancer education and public health research.

The relationship between the social environment within religious organizations and intake of fat versus fruits and vegetables.

The authors explored associations of social environment with dietary behavior among participants in the Eating for a Healthy Life study, a randomized, low-fat, high-fruit-and-vegetable dietary intervention trial in religious organizations. Data in this report are from baseline telephone surveys of 1,520 persons that assessed dietary behaviors (Fat- and Fiber-Related Diet Behavior Questionnaire) and social environment (Moos Group Environment Scale). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, higher scores on the Cohesion and Order/Organization subscales were associated with higher fruit/vegetable scores (indicating higher fruit and vegetable consumption). Higher scores on the Cohesion, Leader Support, and Order/Organization subscales were also associated with lower fat scores (indicating lower fat intake). Dietary behaviors within religious organizations may be related to positive perceptions of the social environment. These results support further exploration of the potential influence of religious organizations' social environment on health behaviors and its applicability to dietary change interventions.

Factors influencing prostate cancer screening decisions among African American men.

PURPOSE: Due to controversy regarding prostate cancer screening, it is imperative that African American men make informed decisions. Little is known about the role of cultural factors in decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men. The purposes of this study were: 1) to investigate components involved with decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men; and 2) to identify cultural factors that may influence screening decisions. METHODS: Six focus group sessions were conducted consisting of African American men between the ages of 40 and 70. RESULTS: Eight themes emerged from the discussions about prostate cancer screening. These themes were: 1) men's knowledge of prostate cancer and clinical services; 2) prostate cancer as a threat to manhood; 3) screening as a threat to manhood; 4) self-awareness of health and well-being; 5) value of screening; 6) convenience of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening; 7) misunderstanding of screening controversy; 8) distrust of the medical community; and 9) shared decision-making. CONCLUSION: This study identifies cultural factors involved with decision-making for prostate cancer screening among African American men.

Correlates of fat intake behaviors in participants in the eating for a healthy life study.

OBJECTIVE: This study identified socioeconomic correlates of total dietary fat intake in the Eating for a Healthy Life Study, a community-based dietary intervention study involving religious organizations. SUBJECTS/DESIGN: To create our sampling frame for the Eating for a Healthy Life Study, a pool of religious organizations was identified from a list of religious faith organizations provided by the Church Council of Greater Seattle. Individual members were randomly selected from recruited religious organizations to complete a telephone-administered, baseline, cross-sectional survey. There were 2,507 respondents who were eligible, consenting participants. Dietary behavior was assessed using a modified version of the Fat- and Fiber-Related Diet Behavior Questionnaire. Socioeconomic status was assessed using individual demographic variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fat-related behaviors indicated by fat summary score and stage of change. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: A multivariable linear regression model was used to examine the association of individual demographic variables with the Fat- and Fiber-Related Diet Behavior Questionnaire-derived measure of dietary fat intake. The same individual variables were used in a multivariable logistic regression model of dietary stage of change. RESULTS: Age, race, sex, education, and self-assessed health status were found to be statistically significant correlates of fat intake. Variables associated with stage of dietary fat change included sex, education, and religious organization cohesion. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic variance is an important factor in understanding dietary fat intake.

Recruitment of religious organisations into a community-based health promotion programme.

Programmes concerned with health promotion activities frequently rely on community organisations to deliver health behaviour change interventions. This paper presents data on the recruitment of religious organisations (ROs) into a research project focused on dietary change. The authors contacted the membership list of a local multi-denominational religious umbrella organisation by mail. The recruitment process consisted of a screening survey followed by an informational meeting with RO representatives, with additional meetings as necessary. The ROs were surveyed by telephone, and the initial and follow-up meetings were held at a location convenient to the RO representatives, often the RO's building. For this paper, the unit of analysis is the RO. The ROs approached during the recruitment process were of a variety of faiths and denominations. All were located within the metropolitan area of Seattle, WA, USA. The screening survey was used to determine RO eligibility, and collect further information on the RO and its membership. The survey included questions adapted from previous RO surveys and questions developed by the project team. The recruitment strategy yielded a 26% enrollment rate of eligible ROs. In comparison to eligible ROs, those that did not meet the eligibility criteria were less stable, smaller and had a membership that was less white, less college-educated and more working class. The size of the RO and the number of years that the religious leader had been with the RO were the strongest predictors of the RO's interest in participating in the project. These data will be helpful in recruiting community organisations into health promotion programmes.

Is religious orientation associated with fat and fruit/vegetable intake?

We explored associations of religious orientation with dietary behavior among participants in the Eating for a Healthy Life Study (EHL), a randomized low-fat, high-fruit/vegetable dietary intervention trial in religious organizations. Data in this report are from baseline telephone surveys of 2,375 people, which assessed dietary behaviors (Fat- and Fiber-Related Diet Behavior Questionnaire) and religiosity (Allport-Ross Religious Orientation Scale). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, higher extrinsic (socially motivated) religious orientation was positively associated with low-fat dietary fat behaviors (P=.0438). No associations were observed for dietary behaviors and intrinsic (life based on religious beliefs) religious orientation. These results support further exploration of religious orientation's potential influence on dietary behaviors and its applicability to dietary interventions.

The feasibility of partnering with African-American barbershops to provide prostate cancer education.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of partnering with barbershops to implement a community-based prostate cancer preparatory educational decision aid for African-American men. We used African-American newspapers to compile a list of barbershops in King County, Washington, that predominantly serve African-American men. Trained research interviewers conducted proprietor surveys and client surveys. Ninety-six percent of the proprietors surveyed reported they would allow their clients to learn about prostate cancer. Seventy-five percent reported they would consider allowing a computer to be installed to provide information about prostate cancer. Ninety-seven percent of clients reported that they would be willing to look at information about prostate cancer in their barbershops. It will be feasible to work with barbershops and their clients for a community-based prostate cancer screening decision-aid intervention for African-American men.

Colorectal cancer screening among African Americans: the importance of physician recommendation.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans have higher colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates than whites. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease and less likely to survive for at least five years after diagnosis. Lack of adherence to colorectal cancer screening recommendations has previously been found to be associated with lower income, lower educational level, and racial/ethnic minority status. METHODS: One hundred-fifty African-American patients (aged 50-79 years) of an inner city hospital, were surveyed by mail and telephone in early 2002. Seventy-six patients completed the survey, and data from 74 surveys were analyzed. RESULTS: Approximately one-half (55%) of the respondents reported having received a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the last 12 months, sigmoidoscopy in the last five years, or colonoscopy in the last 10 years. Thirty-nine percent of the survey participants reported never having received a physician recommendation for FOBT, 60% reported never having received a recommendation for sigmoidoscopy, and 57% reported never having received a recommendation for colonoscopy. Previous physician recommendation was strongly associated (p < 0.001) with levels of FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy use. DISCUSSION: Future studies should examine factors that influence primary care physicians' decision-making about ordering colorectal cancer screening tests, as well as patients' decision-making regarding adherence to physician recommendations.

Hospice patients' attitudes regarding spiritual discussions with their doctors.

The purpose of this study was to assess hospice patients' attitudes regarding the discussion of spiritual issues with their physicians. We conducted in-depth interviews using open-ended questions on living with illness, spirituality and religion, and physician-patient relationships. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for dominant themes. The following dominant themes were identified: (1) treating the whole person, (2) treating with sensitivity, (3) favorable attitudes toward religious or spiritual discussions with doctors, and (4) no "preaching." Our findings suggest that patients do not expect physicians to be their primary spiritual advisors; however, physicians should be aware of and comfortable communicating with patients about religious or spiritual issues. More training in this topic may enhance the care physicians provide to patients near the end of life.

Targeting tobacco in a community-based addiction recovery cohort: results from a computerized, brief, randomized intervention trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 80% of substance dependent individuals also use tobacco, and smoking cessation efforts during treatment for other substance use is associated with similar or even improved outcomes. However, smoking cessation is not routinely addressed during treatment for substance use disorders. The present study tested a computerized brief motivational intervention (C-BMI) for smoking cessation in an understudied population: a cohort recruited from a recovery community organization (RCO) center. METHODS: Following baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned to either a 30-minute C-BMI plus access to free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or an information-only control group plus NRT access. RESULTS: Reductions in CO were observed for both groups. Quit rates in the C-BMI group (5%-7%, vs. 0% for the control group) approximated those observed elsewhere for physician advice and minimal counseling. Participants in the C-BMI group were also more likely to express a desire to quit. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-delivered smoking cessation interventions within RCOs appear feasible. These organizations treat a wide variety of individuals, and C-BMIs for smoking in this context have the potential to reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality.

Do men make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening? Baseline results from the "take the wheel" trial.

BACKGROUND: Baseline data from a randomized trial in 12 worksites were analyzed. Men aged 45+ (n = 812) completed surveys documenting screening history, screening preferences and decisions, CaP knowledge, decision self-efficacy, and decisional consistency. Psychosocial and demographic correlates of IDM were also assessed. RESULTS: Approximately half of the sample had a prior PSA test, although only 35% reported having made an explicit screening decision. Across the sample, CaP knowledge was low (mean = 56%), although decision self-efficacy was high (mean = 78%), and the majority of men (81%) made decisions consistent with their stated values. Compared with those who were undecided, men who made an explicit screening decision had significantly higher levels of knowledge, greater decisional self-efficacy, and were more consistent in terms of making a decision in alignment with their values. They tended to be white, have high levels of income and education, and had discussed screening with their health care provider. CONCLUSIONS: Many men undergo CaP screening without being fully informed about the decision. These findings support the need for interventions aimed at improving IDM about screening, particularly among men of color, those with lower levels of income and education, and those who have not discussed screening with their provider.