Improving knowledge about prostate cancer: the development of an educational program for African-Americans

This study aimed to develop and test a prostate cancer educational program, as well as an electronic keypad survey procedure, among African-Americans. A 1 h seminar and 12-item knowledge questionnaire were reviewed by both professional and lay consultants and then tested among African-American men and women recruited from the city of Chicago. Eight free presentations were delivered to a total of 63 attendees. Mean percent correct rose from 20% pre-program to 57% post-program (P<0.001) and there was an increase on all individual questions. This feasibility study demonstrated: (a) there is a general lack of information about prostate cancer among African-Americans; (b) know-ledge can be significantly increased by means of an hour-long seminar; and (c) electronic keypads provide an easy, acceptable means of collecting data. Finally, the study underscored the need for the development of active and creative recruitment strategies to increase attendance. Such efforts are currently underway.