title: Evaluation of a preparatory community-based prostate health education program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical organizations are divided on the issue of screening for prostate cancer, yet there is agreement that men should be educated about prostate health. Shared decision making involves patients and practitioners in this process, yet some men need preparatory education prior to the physician encounter. This study assessed the effectiveness of a community prostate health awareness program, focusing on men at risk for prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were given a pretest and a posttest to assess knowledge gains and impact on short-term intentions to address their prostate health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge. Short-term intentions increased for those participants meeting the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community outreach programs remain an excellent vehicle to educate the public and complement the efforts of health care providers.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Department of Family Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. pbridge@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berry-Bobovski
authors.forename: Tana J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors