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Prostate Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs in Black College Men: A Qualitative Study

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Abstract

This qualitative study explores prostate cancer knowledge and risk in Black college men. Using the Health Belief Model as a guide, focus groups and interviews were conducted with 35 Black males at a historically black college and university. Thematic analysis was conducted and general themes were found. Results indicate that Black college males have very little knowledge and understanding of what their prostate is and what it does. They are also unaware of their risk of develo** prostate cancer. Additionally, while many believe prostate cancer is severe, few believe they are susceptible to getting it. These findings suggest more work needs to be done to educate young Black males on not only their prostate and prostate cancer, but on their general health. Efforts should focus on increasing the health knowledge of younger Black males in addition to that of middle-aged and older Black males so that health disparities can decrease.

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Funding

This study was made possible by funding from the NIGMS-BUILD grant number 8UL1GM118967-02 and the RCMI grant number 2G12MD007595-06 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. This research also was made possible by funding from the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the NIH. This study was also supported by a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (1R25HL126145-01-MPIs Beech and Norris).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, Campus Box V, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA, 70125, USA

    Krista Mincey & Rachel Neal

  2. Department of Psychology, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, Campus Box 115, New Orleans, LA, 70125, USA

    Brian L. Turner, Khila Anderson & Sheldon Maurice

  3. Department of Biology, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, 70125, USA

    Camille White

Authors
  1. Krista Mincey
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  2. Brian L. Turner
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  3. Khila Anderson
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  4. Sheldon Maurice
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  5. Rachel Neal
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  6. Camille White
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Correspondence to Krista Mincey.

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Conflict of interest

Krista Mincey received the first grant above to conduct the research in this article. Krista Mincey is part of a NIH research program supported by the second grant. No other conflicts exist for the other authors.

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Mincey, K., Turner, B.L., Anderson, K. et al. Prostate Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs in Black College Men: A Qualitative Study. J Community Health 42, 1096–1101 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0357-0

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