title: Comparing perceived and test-based knowledge of cancer risk and prevention among Hispanic and African Americans: an example of community participatory research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most theoretical formulations acknowledge that knowledge and awareness of cancer screening and prevention recommendations significantly influence health behaviors. This study compares perceived knowledge of cancer prevention and screening with test-based knowledge in a community sample. We also examine demographic variables and self-reported cancer screening and prevention behaviors as correlates of both knowledge scores, and consider whether cancer related knowledge can be accurately assessed using just a few, simple questions in a short and easy-to-complete survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a community-partnered participatory research approach to develop our study aims and a survey. The study sample was composed of 180 predominantly African American and Hispanic community individuals who participated in a full-day cancer prevention and screening promotion conference in South Los Angeles, California, on July 2011. Participants completed a self-administered survey in English or Spanish at the beginning of the conference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data indicate that perceived and test-based knowledge scores are only moderately correlated. Perceived knowledge score shows a stronger association with demographic characteristics and other cancer related variables than the test-based score. Thirteen out of twenty variables that are examined in our study showed a statistically significant correlation with the perceived knowledge score, however, only four variables demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the test-based knowledge score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived knowledge of cancer prevention and screening was assessed with fewer items than test-based knowledge. Thus, using this assessment could potentially reduce respondent burden. However, our data demonstrate that perceived and test-based knowledge are separate constructs.
authors.affiliation: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Cancer Outreach, Prevention and Control Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA.
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazargan
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucas-Wright
authors.forename: Jaydutt V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Vadgama
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Salman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otoukesh
authors.forename: Annette E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment