RETRACTED ARTICLE: Knowledge, Attitude, and Prostate Cancer-Screening Experience among African American Men in Southside Chicago: Intervention Strategy for Risk Reduction Activities

Abstract

Background Prostate cancer remains the most common noncutaneous malignancy among men in USA and the leading cause of death among African Americans. Compared with whites and other ethnic groups, men of color have over fourfold increased risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer. This study assessed prostate cancer knowledge, attitude, and prostate cancer-screening experience among African American men in Chicago Southside neighborhoods. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 305 African American men, aged 35 to 75 years, using a 30-item questionnaire was conducted. We collected demographic information, health insurance status, knowledge of the prostate cancer risk factors, sources of information, and individual attitudes toward prostate cancer screening among the subjects. The questionnaire administration involved person-to-person interview technique. Results Of the 305 respondents in the study, percent age distribution was as follows: 35–39 (0.3 %), 40–49 (12.8 %), 50–59 (40.4 %), 60–69 (36.7 %), and 70–75 (9.8 %). Overall level of knowledge was low and varied with age. Significant differences were observed between age groups on awareness of BPH and prostate cancer (p < 0.001), specific risk factors of prostate cancer (p < 0.001), screening history (p < 0.001), individual attitudes toward prostate cancer screening (p < 0.001), and utilization of prostate cancer-screening experiences among the subjects (p = 0.033). Conclusion Improved knowledge of prostate cancer, risk reduction activities, and appropriate prostate cancer response among the men is emphasized. Physicians should be more involved in primary prevention, health promotion, and education of their clients toward appropriate health attitude and healthful behavioral change.