Communication message strategies for increasing knowledge about prostate cancer screening.
BACKGROUND
This community-based intervention study examined the effects of 2 different message strategies for presenting information about the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental longitudinal design with 2 intervention and 1 control group.


RESULTS
Knowledge increased significantly among participants who received either version of the intervention message and remained elevated at 12 months. Presenting information in the context of other men's health issues was associated with greater increases in knowledge relative to PSA only.


CONCLUSIONS
Community-based interventions can increase knowledge about prostate cancer screening. Clinicians need to take careful account of what their patients understand and correct misperceptions.
McCormack
Lauren A
LA
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. Lmac@rti.org
Bann
Carla M
CM
Williams-Piehota
Pamela
P
Driscoll
David
D
Soloe
Cindy
C
Poehlman
Jon
J
Kuo
Tzy-Mey
TM
Lohr
Kathleen N
KN
Sheridan
Stacey L
SL
Golin
Carol E
CE
Harris
Russell
R
Cykert
Samuel
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen