Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccine uptake in a predominantly Hispanic Border Community: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the "Tiempo de Vacunarte Program".

BACKGROUND: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer in the cervix, vagina, throat and anogenital region. Although HPV vaccination rates in the Hispanic community have increased owing to public health efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unique public health challenges and contributed to health inequity in this population. METHODS: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccine uptake in a program designed to improve HPV vaccination rate in a predominantly Hispanic community in the border region of Texas (Tiempo de Vacunarte [time to get vaccinated]), we performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis to evaluate the uptake of the first dose of HPV vaccine series among eligible adolescents and adults before (2016-2019), during (2020-2021), and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2022-2023). RESULTS: We observed a decrease in HPV vaccine uptake during the pandemic (69.59% vs. 89.92%) and post-pandemic (76% vs. 89.92%) compared to the pre-pandemic period. After adjusting for confounding factors, the reduction in the odds ratio was more pronounced in the pandemic (OR = 0.091, p < 0.001) and post-pandemic (OR = 0.109, p < 0.001) periods. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the uptake of the HPV vaccine in a comprehensive intervention program to increase HPV vaccination in a border community.

Effect of a Theory-Based Narrative Video on Colorectal Cancer Screening Intention, Knowledge, and Psychosocial Variables Among a Predominantly Hispanic Population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death in the USA. Latinx adults are overrepresented in late-stage CRC diagnosis as CRC screening utilization remains low among Latinx-identifying individuals. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a theory-based narrative video following a culturally appropriate storyline on CRC screening intention, knowledge, and psychosocial variables along the U.S.-Mexico border. We designed and analyzed a non-randomized pre-posttest evaluation of a narrative, culturally tailored video embedded within a community program. The study is set in the U.S.-Mexico border community. Outreach provided a link or QR code to access the survey. In all, 458 participants started the survey, and 304 completed the survey. Participants were recruited through flyers distributed throughout various community events by the program's community health workers and via social media. The intervention evaluated changes in participant's knowledge, perceived barriers, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits and intention to screen. Participants were a mean age of 39 and identified mainly as female (72.7%) and Hispanic/Latinx (88.49%). After viewing the narrative video, participants had significantly improved perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and benefits, while perceived barriers and sense of fatalism significantly decreased. Paradoxically, this was associated with a significant decrease in knowledge scores. Results from this intervention suggest that a theory-based narrative video following a culturally appropriate storyline effectively improves psychosocial variables and intention to carry out CRC screening in a predominantly Hispanic border population.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Large Community-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

CONTEXT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can significantly reduce incidence and mortality; however, screening rates are suboptimal. The lowest rates are among those with no usual source of care and the uninsured. OBJECTIVE: We describe the implementation and evaluation of a community-based CRC screening program from 2012 to 2015 designed to increase screening within a predominantly Hispanic US-Mexico border population. METHODS: The multicomponent, evidence-based program provided in-person, bilingual, culturally tailored health education facilitated by community health workers, no-cost primarily stool-based testing and diagnostic colonoscopy, and navigation. We recruited uninsured individuals due for CRC screening from clinics and community sites. An extensive qualitative and quantitative program process and outcome evaluation was conducted. RESULTS: In total, 20 118 individuals were approached, 8361 were eligible for screening; 74.8% completed screening and 74.6% completed diagnostic testing; 14 cancers were diagnosed. The mean age of participants was 56.8 years, and the majority were Hispanic, female, and of low socioeconomic status. The process evaluation gathered information that enabled effective program implementation and demonstrated effective staff training, compliance with processes, and high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This program used a population-based approach focusing on uninsured individuals and proved successful at achieving high fecal immunochemical test kit return rates and colonoscopy completion rates. Key factors related to its success included tailoring the intervention to our priority population, strong partnerships with community-based sites and clinics, expertise in clinical CRC screening, and an active community advisory board. This program can serve as a model for similar populations along the border to increase CRC screening rates among the underserved.

Implementing a mailed stool sample screening program in clinics providing care for an underserved Hispanic population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Hispanics in the US. Despite this, Hispanics are being screened for CRC at a much lower rate than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Implementing mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) is a cost-effective intervention for increasing CRC screening rates in vulnerable populations, such as Hispanic populations in border metroplexes. We aimed to describe the effect of introductory calls coupled with mailed in-home FIT kits on CRC screening completion in two federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in a US-Mexico border county. This was a prospective, pragmatic, two-arm intervention study with participants allocated to receive a FIT kit with a reminder call (usual care) or usual care preceded by an introductory call. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who returned the FIT kits. Participants who returned to the FIT were primarily unemployed (54.4%), had less than a high school education (60.2%), lived in the US for at least 20 years (74.4%), and had poor self-reported health (54.4%). In addition, we observed a statistically significant increase in the absolute rate (4.5%, P = 0.003) of FITs returned when a mailed FIT kit was preceded by an introductory call compared with no initial call. This study demonstrated that adding an introductory phone call significantly improved the screening completion rate in a mailed-out CRC screening intervention in the US-Mexico border population.

Factors Affecting Completion of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Series by Gender in a Predominantly Hispanic Border Town Community.

OBJECTIVES: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for females and males aged 9 to 45. Nationally, the HPV vaccination rates are lower for males than females; however, this has not been studied in a US-Mexico border community. Our study aims to report the HPV vaccination completion by gender and determine which sociodemographic factors influence vaccination. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among uninsured and underinsured individuals aged between 9 and 26 years served through a community-based HPV vaccine program in El Paso, TX. Data collected included demographic information, psychosocial variables, and vaccine administration data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data. Unadjusted t test/Fisher exact test and multivariable relative risk regression were run on significant variables to determine the association with vaccine completion by gender. RESULTS: Most participants were female (63.4%), and an overall vaccine series completion was 30.67%. We found no significant difference in HPV vaccine completion rates by gender. Males who resided in the United States for more than a decade were 31% more likely to complete the vaccine series, and females who had 9 to 13 years of education had lower odds of vaccine completion. Knowledge significantly increased after the intervention for both genders (p = .002). There was no significant change in psychosocial variables from the preintervention to the immediate postintervention survey. CONCLUSIONS: Our multicomponent, culturally tailored intervention may equally impact male and female participants and encourages all genders to complete their HPV vaccine series. Additional studies with a larger male sample are needed.

Comparison of Narrative Video and Flipchart Presentation to Promote Cervical Cancer Screening Among Latinas Along the Border.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality is higher among Latinas compared with non-Hispanic White women and barriers to screening include lack of knowledge, lack of access to health care, and cultural factors. Both video and printed material have been found effective as health education tools in underserved populations. The purpose of this study was to show no difference between a flipchart presentation facilitated by a community health worker and a narrative video with limited in-person interaction in increasing cervical cancer screening rates among Latinas along the U.S.-Mexico border. METHODS: Study design: Randomized controlled study. Participants: women in a community-based cervical cancer screening program. OUTCOMES: Primary outcome was screening completion and secondary outcomes were changes in psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Total sample size was 500. Most participants were born in Mexico, had a low annual income, preferred Spanish, and did not have a regular doctor. Overall, 371 (74.2%) participants completed screening. There was no significant difference in screening completion between educational delivery modes. The only variable significantly associated with screening completion was age, with 51- to 65-year-olds being 44% more likely than 21- to 40-year-olds to have a Pap test. The only psychosocial variable that was significantly different by delivery mode was perceived susceptibility. The majority of all participants found both the video and flipchart presentation to be acceptable. CONCLUSION: A health promotion program delivered via self-administered video or PowerPoint slides showed no difference in increasing cervical cancer screening rates.

Evaluation of a Narrative Video to Promote Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer Among Latinas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an online-delivered, theory-based narrative video on cervical cancer screening knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in a predominantly Latino community. METHODS: The study design was a nonrandomized pretest-posttest evaluation. The eligibility criteria included men and women 18 years or older not previously enrolled in our community cervical cancer screening program who had internet access. Participants were recruited via in-person county-wide flyer distribution and social media dissemination. The intervention involved a narrative video designed for Latinas delivered via the internet. The 17-minute video is novella style, with a culturally tailored storyline and setting that covers cervical cancer risk factors and statistics, importance of screening, and addresses testing barriers. The measures were knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, subjective norms, and self-efficacy. Analysis was performed using change scores for knowledge and psychosocial variables and descriptive statistics for satisfaction and acceptability of the video. RESULTS: Data from 227 surveys were analyzed; respondent mean age: 37.6 years; 98.8% female, 88.8% Hispanic; 42.0% had an annual income of $20,000 or less; and 85.2% had at least a high school education. Knowledge and all psychosocial variables improved significantly. More than 90% of the participants rated all of the satisfaction items as good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A culturally appropriate narrative video about cervical cancer and screening disseminated online effectively improved knowledge and psychosocial variables among Latinas. Our findings indicate that health promotion interventions online could be effective for improving desired health behavior through a new means of educational dissemination by way of websites and social media outlets.

Prevalence of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Subgroups in the United States: NHIS 2010 and 2015 Data.

Introduction: Much of the data related to colorectal cancer (CRC) disease burden among Hispanics is grouped together. The purpose of our study was to better understand the current screening uptake across Hispanic subgroups. Methods: Data from the CRC screening portion of the 2010 and 2015 Adult Cancer Control Module of the National Hispanic Interview Survey (NHIS). A univariate and multivariable analysis were conducted. Results: Total sample size: 7,389. Subgroup with most participants: Mexican-American. For all Hispanics, 24% were up to date with CRC screening. In adjusted analyses, variables significantly associated with being up to date among all Hispanics were: older age (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.03; p = <.0001), female sex (PR = 1.28; p = 0.003), more than high school education (PR = 1.25; p = 0.006), annual household income between $45,000 and $74,999 ( PR = 1.51; p = 0.018), living in the United States for 15 years or more (PR = 1.45; p = 0.039), having health insurance (PR = 2.06; p = <.0001), and having a first-degree relative with CRC (PR = 1.35; p < .0001). Discussion: Various social determinants of health were found to be associated with increased prevalence of being up to date with CRC screening among different Hispanic subgroups. Conclusion: These findings serve as a starting point to develop interventions tailored to specific Hispanic subgroups with social determinants of health, namely low socioeconomic status, at the forefront of development.

Outcomes of a Multicomponent Culturally Tailored Cervical Cancer Screening Intervention Among Underserved Hispanic Women (De Casa en Casa).

Hispanic women have almost double the cervical cancer incidence and are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer compared with non-Hispanic White women. Cervical cancer is preventable with screening, and based on available data, multiple component screening interventions have been proposed as a strategy to maximize screening, but such studies are lacking. We sought to test the effectiveness of a multicomponent screening intervention for primary prevention and early detection of cervical cancer among underserved Hispanic women. We conducted a prospective community-based cervical cancer screening intervention utilizing a quasi-experimental design. The intervention was theory based, delivered by bilingual community health workers, combined education and reduction of noneconomic barriers, and addressed economic barriers. Components included outreach, education, provision of no-cost Papanicolaou and human papillomavirus screening, on-site diagnostic and treatment colposcopy, and patient navigation with tracking to facilitate screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The main outcome was self-reported screening. We recruited 300 intervention group and 299 control group participants. Mean age of the sample was 44.7 years. The majority were Hispanic (98%), born in Mexico (79%), and had a Spanish-language preference (86%). In intention-to-treat analyses, the intervention group had a relative risk of screening of 14.58 (95% confidence interval = 8.57-24.80, p < .001) compared with the control group. A multilevel, multiple component culturally tailored bilingual cervical cancer screening intervention combining education, navigation, and no-cost screening can significantly increase cervical cancer screening uptake in a high-risk, underscreened population and has the potential to affect cervical cancer health disparities.

HPV Vaccine Beliefs and Correlates of Uptake Among Hispanic Women and Their Children on the US-Mexico Border.

INTRODUCTION: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection nationally. Although preventable, uptake of the HPV vaccine is low. The purpose of this study was to describe HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs and psychosocial correlates of vaccine uptake among adult females and their children in a US-Mexico border community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of uninsured women aged 21-65 years living in Texas who were due for cervical cancer screening. We utilized descriptive statistics to report demographic and psychosocial variables. We used logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of prior vaccine uptake. RESULTS: 599 women completed surveys: mean age was 44.69 years, 97.8%, were Hispanic and 86% were Spanish speaking; 5% had been vaccinated. Awareness of HPV infection & HPV vaccine was 81.6% & 68.6% respectively. Scores for mean perceived susceptibility was low and mean perceived benefits was high; the mean score for knowledge was 3.69 out of 6. Common parental barriers to child vaccination were cost, lack of accessibility and lack of information. Correlates of past HPV vaccine uptake among adult women were younger age, monthly income of $2,500-$5,000, full-time employment, US birth, and higher perceived severity of HPV. Older age was a correlate of vaccine uptake for daughters. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Findings revealed low HPV vaccine uptake among adult Hispanic women, but high vaccine acceptability for their sons and daughters. Culturally tailored educational interventions are needed to improve HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine uptake among adults and their children.

The Prevalence of Genital Human Papillomavirus Subtypes in a Cohort of Hispanic Women Presenting for Cervical Cancer Screening Along the US-Mexico Border.

Introduction : Hispanic women residing along the US-Mexico border have the highest cervical cancer incidence rates in the US. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major causative agent, but more information is needed about the prevalence and distribution of genital HPV subtypes in this high-risk population. Methods : A population-based cross-sectional study of uninsured Hispanic women along the US-Mexico border was conducted and participants had their cervical specimens undergo DNA extraction followed by HPV genotype testing using the Linear Assay from Roche® Diagnostics, to identify 37 genital HPV subtypes. Results : Among the 585 women aged 21-65 years, 584 self-identfied as Hispanic. Any HPV subtype prevalence was 53.2% (95% CI: 49.0%-57.3%) and of these 52% (i.e. 27.5% of the total) had single infections and 48% (i.e. 25.6% of the total) had multiple infections. High-risk HPV prevalence was 15.6% (95% CI: 24-31.3%). The mean number of subtypes among those testing positive was 2.1 (SD 1.6). The prevalence of any HPV and high-risk HPV showed a U shaped pattern with age; and prevalence of 16/18 and non-16/18 high-risk subtypes (e.g. 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58); also varied with age. Forty-one percent of high-risk HPV occurrences were of a subtype not covered by the current nonavalent HPV vaccine. Discussion : Our findings suggest a different high-risk HPV subtype pattern and age distribution among Hispanic women in the USA, which could have implications for future cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Group Versus Individual Culturally Tailored and Theory-Based Education to Promote Cervical Cancer Screening Among the Underserved Hispanics: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether group education is as effective as individual education in improving cervical cancer screening uptake along the US-Mexico border. DESIGN: Cluster randomized controlled study. SETTING: El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred women aged 21 to 65 years, uninsured, due for a Pap test, no prior history of cervical cancer or hysterectomy. INTERVENTION: Theory-based, culturally appropriate program comprised of outreach, educational session, navigation services, and no-cost cervical cancer testing. MEASURES: Baseline, immediate postintervention, and 4-month follow-up surveys measured knowledge and theoretical constructs from the Health Belief Model, Theory of Reasoned Action, and the Social Cognitive Theory. ANALYSIS: Relative risk regression analyses to assess the effects of educational delivery mode on the uptake of screening. Mixed effect models to analyze changes in psychosocial variables. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty women assigned to each educational group; 99% Hispanic. Of all, 85.7% completed the follow-up survey. Differences in screening rate at follow-up were analyzed by education type. Overall screening rate at follow-up was 73.2%, no significant difference by education type (individual: 77.6%, group: 68.9% P = .124). Significant increases among group education at follow-up for knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and subjective norms and significant decrease for perceived benefits. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence to support the effectiveness of group education to promote cervical cancer screening among vulnerable Hispanic women and offers an additional method to address cervical cancer disparities.

Barriers and Facilitators to Colorectal Cancer Screening Within a Hispanic Population.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cancer cause of death among US Hispanics. CRC screening among the Hispanic population is lower compared with non-Hispanic Whites. METHOD: The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to better understand the barriers and facilitators of CRC screening and preference for stool-based testing collection methods among the predominantly Hispanic population of El Paso, Texas. Nine focus groups were conducted by a trained bilingual facilitator with a moderator guide informed by the literature. Transcripts of the focus groups were entered into qualitative analysis software and a thematic network was developed. RESULTS: Fifty-six participants were recruited: average age was 68.5 years, 58.9% were female, 98.2% were Hispanic, 87.5% had an annual income of less than $20,000, 58.9% had 9th grade education or less, 12.5% had a discount program, and 5.4% had no insurance. Barriers to CRC screening included cost, fear, and embarrassment. Facilitators to screening included in-person health education and physician recommendation. Participants preferred the hygienic nature of a stool test collected with a brush and bottle. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was a lack of knowledge regarding CRC and significant barriers to CRC screening. A community-based CRC screening program was subsequently developed from our findings.

Developing Trans-Affirming Health Services in an Underserved Area: An Intersectional Approach.

Purpose: Gender-nonconforming patients are at higher risk for medical problems that require prompt medical and mental health intervention. Barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals have been well characterized in the literature, but not in low resource settings. The purpose of this paper is to present the barriers encountered when bringing healthcare to transgender children, adolescents, and adults in a medically underserved, predominantly Hispanic area of the United States. Methods: In this medically underserved area on the U.S.-Mexico border, there is a severe shortage of medical expertise for transgender individuals at both the primary- and specialty-care levels. Further, given the mainly Hispanic population, there is an additional culturally based barrier to obtaining medical care for transgender patients. Results: It is important for academic centers in these regions to collaborate to overcome these barriers through a multidisciplinary approach that includes providing education for medical students and physicians in training and identifying medical providers who are able and willing to provide transgender-competent care adapted to local culture and gender norms. Conclusion: In this manuscript, we will describe the efforts of various groups to address the needs of the transgender community in the region.

Against colorectal cancer in our neighborhoods (ACCION): A comprehensive community-wide colorectal cancer screening intervention for the uninsured in a predominantly Hispanic community.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Screening is widely recommended but underutilized, particularly among the low income, the uninsured, recent immigrants and Hispanics. The study objective was to determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive community-wide, bilingual, CRC screening intervention among uninsured predominantly Hispanic individuals. This prospective study was embedded in a CRC screening program and utilized a quasi-experimental design. Recruitment occurred from Community and clinic sites. Inclusion criteria were aged 50-75years, uninsured, due for CRC screening, Texas address and exclusions were a history of CRC, or recent rectal bleeding. Eligible subjects were randomized to either promotora (P), video (V), or combined promotora and video (PV) education, and also received no-cost screening with fecal immunochemical testing or colonoscopy and navigation. The non-randomly allocated controls recruited from a similar county, received no intervention. The main outcome was 6month self-reported CRC screening. Per protocol and worst case scenario analyses, and logistic regression with covariate adjustment were performed. 784 subjects (467 in intervention group, 317 controls) were recruited; mean age was 56.8years; 78.4% were female, 98.7% were Hispanic and 90.0% were born in Mexico. In the worst case scenario analysis (n=784) screening uptake was 80.5% in the intervention group and 17.0% in the control group [relative risk 4.73, 95% CI: 3.69-6.05, P<0.001]. No educational group differences were observed. Covariate adjustment did not significantly alter the effect. A multicomponent community-wide, bilingual, CRC screening intervention significantly increased CRC screening in an uninsured predominantly Hispanic population.

Against Colorectal Cancer in Our Neighborhoods, a Community-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Targeting Low-Income Hispanics: Program Development and Costs.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Despite universal screening recommendations, screening rates in the United States remain suboptimal, especially among the poor, the uninsured, recent immigrants, and Hispanics. This article describes the development of a large community-based colorectal cancer screening program designed to address these disparities. METHOD: The Against Colorectal Cancer in our Neighborhoods program is a bilingual, evidence-based, theory-guided, multicomponent community screening intervention, targeting the uninsured and developed using a systematic planning process. It combines community health worker-led outreach, bilingual and culturally tailored community education, and no-cost screening with provision of the fecal immunochemical test or colonoscopy and navigation services. A detailed process and outcome evaluation is planned. Program development cost calculated prospectively (in 2011 dollars) using a societal perspective and micro-costing methods was $243,278, of which $180,344 was direct cost. DISCUSSION: The detailed description of the development processes and costs of this health promotion program targeting low-income Hispanics will inform health program decision makers about the resource requirements for planning and developing new programs to reduce disease burden in communities.

A community-based intervention to promote informed decision making for prostate cancer screening among Hispanic American men changed knowledge and role preferences: a cluster RCT.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the short-term effects of a community-based intervention for Hispanic men to encourage informed decision making (IDM) about prostate cancer screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA). METHODS: All senior social and housing centers in El Paso, TX were randomized to intervention, a group-based Spanish language educational program facilitated by promotores (12 centers; 161 men) [I's], or to control, promotores-facilitated diabetes video and discussion (13 centers; 160 men) [C's]. RESULTS: Participants had low levels of schooling and baseline knowledge; 44% reported previous PSA testing. At post-test, the I's made large knowledge gains, increased their understanding that experts disagree about testing, shifted toward more active decision making roles, were more likely to believe that it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of screening and to anticipate potential screening outcomes in making a decision, and were less likely to consider the screening decision easy. The I's did not change in their screening intention or the belief that choosing not to be screened could be a responsible choice. CONCLUSIONS: A community-based intervention to support IDM for prostate cancer screening can increase knowledge and may promote more active involvement in decision making about prostate cancer screening. Such an approach can increase knowledge and may promote more active involvement in decision making about prostate cancer screening. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is feasible to develop and implement a community-based intervention program to promote IDM for prostate cancer screening.

The use of illustrated story mapping to enhance focus group discussion.

Key informant interviews and focus groups assist in eliciting qualitative data from the community in order to develop educational programs. This article describes how an additional methodology, illustrated story maps, are used to obtain context-specific information on what African American and Hispanic men need to know to make an informed decision about prostate cancer screening. These maps are created as a result of key informant interviews and implemented during focus groups. Twenty focus groups are conducted using the story maps, which depicts scenarios of how men make medical decisions, possible influences on medical decisions, and potential consequences of these decisions. The illustrated story maps prove to encourage directed discussion during the focus groups, while still allowing for open sharing of personal experiences. The authors recommend the use of maps when adapting and planning communication and educational programs, particularly where participant dialogue is central to success of the endeavor.

What is needed for informed decisions about prostate cancer screening: perspectives of African-American and Hispanic men.

Professional guidelines suggest that men should learn about risks and benefits of screening to make informed decisions consistent with their preferences. We used concept mapping to investigate views of informed decision making (IDM) of minority men. Statements about what men need for IDM about prostate cancer screening were sorted by similarity and rated for importance by 16 Hispanic and 15 African-American men. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis were used to develop a concept map for IDM. The 10-cluster solution was selected. The clusters rated most important were labeled Future Considerations, What to Know and Decision to Make. Clusters labeled Social Support and Sharing Perspectives depicted social aspects of the decision and were intermediate in importance. There was strong correlation in relative importance ratings of clusters by African-American and Hispanic men. However, African-American men gave higher importance ratings than Hispanic men. Concept mapping, a method with strong participatory elements, was useful in identifying conceptual frameworks for IDM of African-American and Hispanic men. Health education to support IDM requires some shifts in focus and strategy. It is important that interventions with minority men build upon a strong conceptual framework.