Self-reported reasons men decide not to participate in free prostate cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reasons why men fail to participate in a free prostate cancer screening.


METHODS
Survey and secondary analyses using correlational design.


METHODS
Community sites in the Southeastern United States.


METHODS
The sample (N = 241) ranged in age from 40-68 years. Mean age was 50 years (SD = 7.4). Most of the men were African American (79%) and married (70%). Almost half of the subjects (44%) earned between $9,601 and $25,020 per year.


METHODS
Telephone survey of men who did not participate in initial prostate cancer screening after educational program.


METHODS
Demographics, self-reported reasons men decided not to participate in a free screening following a prostate cancer educational program, and predictors for subsequent participation in screening.


RESULTS
The main self-reported reason for not participating in a free prostate cancer screening opportunity was time problems. A significant relationship between income and physician problems existed among the men who did not participate. Twenty-one percent of the 241 men participated in a second opportunity for free prostate cancer screening. Men who cited "lost packet" as their reason for not participating in the first free screening were more than twice as likely to go for the second opportunity for free screening when offered another packet or voucher for a free screening with their physician of choice.


CONCLUSIONS
"Time problems" was the most frequent self-reported reason men gave for failure to participate. Providing a follow-up phone call and vouchers a second time for reimbursement of the cost associated with a screening increased participation. Men often need assistance with locating physicians and nurse practitioners who will file for financial reimbursement. Appointment reminders are critical.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study of the significant relationship between income and "physician problems" for not participating has implications for healthcare providers. Future programs could provide telephone follow-up with men and remail vouchers, as needed. In addition, men could be encouraged to designate one place in their households for health-related papers (for safekeeping).
Weinrich
Sally P
SP
School of Nursing, University of Louisville, KY, USA. sally.weinrich@louisville.edu
Weinrich
Martin C
MC
Priest
Julie
J
Fodi
Cathy
C
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data