Educating African American men on prostate health and informed decision making: Initial report from a peer-education program in Louisiana.

Abstract

211 Background: Informed decision making for prostate cancer health is widely endorsed but systematic programs to address this need are sparse. Herein we report initial progress in a statewide effort targeting African American men. Methods: The Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board (LCLTFB) Prostate Cancer Program is funded via a “check box” on the state income tax form, in which a portion of refunds could be allocated for prostate cancer efforts. The LCLTFB partnered with the statewide comprehensive cancer control program to develop a pilot lay program to educate men on prostate informed decision. The program was developed and modeled after “My Brother's Keeper,” a CDC funded program and implemented in five regions of the state. African American men active in the cancer community and regional cancer coalitions were identified as possible trainers for the program. Staff members from “My Brother's Keeper” trained the Cancer Control regional staff, as well as the community trainers in a two day session. Upon completion, the community trainers were charged to go into their community and convene three education sessions. Educational sessions were conducted in local churches, head start centers, men social club meeting, Greek organizational meetings, and labor union meetings. Men attending the session received a short pre- and post-test assessing whether or not they had discussed prostate informed decision making with a health care provider, if they had made an appointment with a health care provider, or was any follow up from the educational session initiated. Results: A total of 250 African American men in Louisiana were educated by the program. Upon followup phone calls, 172 men self-reported that they had initiated some form of follow up as a consequence of the participation. 35 men were unable to be contacted for follow up (number no longer in service or no phone number listed) 43 men (messages left but no returned call). Conclusions: Peer education can engage African American men regarding informed decision making on prostate cancer health issues. More data are needed to verify and determine the type of followup that was initiated after the educational sessions. [Table: see text]