The effect of web-assisted education and reminders on health belief, level of knowledge and early diagnosis behaviors regarding prostate cancer screening

The relationship between men's health literacy levels and their health beliefs and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening: A case study in a rural area

This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy level and health beliefs and attitudes regarding prostate cancer screening in males aged 40-70 who lived in rural areas and had not been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The sample of the study consisted of 379 men. The data were collected between January and December 2022 using the "Participant Information Form," the "Turkey Health Literacy-32 Scale," and the "Prostate Cancer Screening Health Belief Model Scale." 58% of the participants are between the ages of 40-55. It was determined that 61.2% defined cancer as a fatal disease, only 14.2% had PSA in their blood and 21.6% had DRE. The average health literacy scale total score of the participants is 33.76 ± 11.55. The health literacy level of men was found to be limited in 14.8%. There was a negative relationship between the total scores of the health literacy scale and the susceptibility perception, seriousness perception, and barriers perception sub-dimensions of the Health Belief Model Scale of Cancer Screenings and a positive relationship between the total scores of the Health Literacy Scale and health motivation and benefits perception subdimensions (p < .001). As a result, men living in rural areas should be given individual counseling by health professionals to use screening tests for cancer symptoms and early diagnosis. In addition, men's health literacy levels should be increased by providing planned and regular health education in order to create positive attitudes and perceptions regarding cancer screenings, especially prostate cancer.

The effect of web-based and face-to-face training given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels regarding obesity

AIM

This study compared the effects of web-based and face-to-face education given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels towards obesity.

METHODS

The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of 768 office workers between February 2020 and April 2021, and the sample of the research consisted of 90 individuals selected from the population using the nonprobability sampling method. Clinical trial number of the study is NCT05591846.

RESULTS

A total of 90 people, including 30 people in each group, were included in the study. According to the obesity health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the beliefs of individuals about obesity; it was determined that there was a significant increase in the subdimensions of the importance of health, sensitivity, seriousness and perception of benefit and a decrease in the perception of obstacles (p < 0.05). After both education methods were given according to the health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the physical activity level of the individuals; it was determined that the physical activity level score increased significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It was determined that web-based and face-to-face education given to individuals had a positive effect on the obesity health belief model components and the levels of physical activity level.

The effects of web-based animation-supported progressive relaxation exercises applied to individuals with epilepsy on fatigue and sleep quality: A randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

The study was conducted to determine the effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercise, supported by mobile-based animation, on fatigue and sleep quality of individuals with epilepsy.

MATERIAL-METHOD

The study was conducted in a randomized controlled design with a pretest-posttest model on epileptic individuals who applied to Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Neurology Outpatient Clinic between February and December 2022. By using power analysis, the sample of the study was determined as 60 epilepsy patients (30 in the Control Group, 30 in the Experimental Group). The data were collected by face-to-face interview technique with the Personal Information Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean, standard deviations, Pearson Correlation Analysis, Paired t-Test, Student's t-Test, and Chi-Square Test were used in the evaluation of the study data.

RESULTS

When the Control Group's mean scores in the pre-test and post-tests, which were performed with an interval of 6 weeks, were compared, a statistically significant difference was detected between the FSS and PSQI scores (p>0.05). The mean Fatigue Severity Scale score was found to be 5.24 ± 0.69 before the Progressive Relaxation Exercises and 3.82 ± 0.77 after the exercises. The mean scores of the individuals on the Fatigue Severity Scale after the relaxation exercises were found to be lower at a statistically significant level than the mean scores before the relaxation exercises (p<0.001). The differences between subjective sleep quality (p<0.001), sleep latency (p<0.001), daytime dysfunction (p<0.001), and total sleep quality (p<0.001) score averages after the Progressive Relaxation Exercises were statistically significant compared to the pre-exercises status. When the post-test scores of the participants in the Experimental Group was examined, significant, moderate, and positive differences were detected between the FSS and Total PSQI scores (r: 0.373-p: 0.042), Subjective Sleep Quality (r: 0.487-p: 0.006), which is one of the sub-dimensions of PSQI, Sleeping Pill Use (r: 0.531-p: 0.003), and Daytime Dysfunction (r: 0.461-p: 0.01) scores.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that individuals with epilepsy experience fatigue and deterioration in sleep quality and there is a reciprocal relationship between the severity of fatigue and sleep quality in these individuals. Progressive Relaxation Exercises applied with the animation-supported web-based mobile intervention technique reduce the fatigue levels of individuals and increase sleep quality.

Applying the health belief model to the rational use of drugs for hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Non-rational use of drugs is a common problem among people with chronic disease. The Health Belief Model (HBM) can develop beliefs and behaviors related to rational drug use.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of HBM-based training on the rational use of drugs in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 132 people receiving hemodialysis treatment. The data were collected using a Demographic Survey and the Rational Use of Drugs Scale (RUDS). Patients in the study groups were provided with HBM-based rational use of drugs training. The first training session took an average of 30-35 min for each patient, and the second (summary) took an average of 15-20 min RESULTS: The mean RUDS pretest score was 60.29 ± 10.17 in the intervention group and 62.85 ± 9.94 in the control group. The mean RUDS posttest scores were 78.80 ± 8.16 in the intervention group and 63.48 ± 9.77 in the control group. The difference between the pretest scores in these groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), whereas the difference between the posttest scores was found to be significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It was observed that training based on the HBM increased the RUD scores. Thus, HBM may be recommended for use as a guide for rational drug use training, especially for patients undergoing hemodialysis.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The HBM can be an effective and cost-efficient strategy for standardized rational drug use training and supporting hemodialysis patients.

Social Media and mHealth Technology for Cancer Screening: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a leading cause of death, and although screening can reduce cancer morbidity and mortality, participation in screening remains suboptimal.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of social media and mobile health (mHealth) interventions for cancer screening.

METHODS

We searched for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of social media and mHealth interventions promoting cancer screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers) in adults in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Communication & Mass Media Complete from January 1, 2000, to July 17, 2020. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full-text articles and completed the risk of bias assessments. We pooled odds ratios for screening participation using the Mantel-Haenszel method in a random-effects model.

RESULTS

We screened 18,008 records identifying 39 studies (35 mHealth and 4 social media). The types of interventions included peer support (n=1), education or awareness (n=6), reminders (n=13), or mixed (n=19). The overall pooled odds ratio was 1.49 (95% CI 1.31-1.70), with similar effect sizes across cancer types.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening programs should consider mHealth interventions because of their promising role in promoting cancer screening participation. Given the limited number of studies identified, further research is needed for social media interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42019139615; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=139615.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035411.

Helping Men Find Their Way: Improving Prostate Cancer Clinic Attendance via Patient Navigation

Navigation programs aim to help patients overcome barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Missed clinic appointments have undesirable effects on the patient, health system, and society, and treatment delays have been shown to result in inferior surgical cure rates for men with prostate cancer (CaP). We sought to measure the impact of patient navigation on CaP clinic adherence. Patient navigators contacted patients prior to their first encounter for known or suspected CaP between 7/1/2016 and 6/30/2017. Encounters from 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 were used as a historical control. Patient-variables were analyzed including age, health insurance status, home address, zip code, race, ethnicity, and referring primary care clinic. Encounter-level variables included diagnosis (categorized as known or suspected CaP), date of appointment, type of appointment [new vs. return], and provider. The associations between several factors including navigation contact and these variables with missed appointment were analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects multivariate logistic regression. A total of 2854 scheduled clinic encounters from 986 unique patients were analyzed. Patient navigation resulted in a lower missed appointment rate (8.8% vs. 13.9%, OR = 0.64, IQR 0.44-0.93, p = 0.02 on multivariable analysis). Lack of health insurance (OR = 13.18 [5.13-33.83]), suspected but not confirmed CaP diagnosis (OR = 7.44 [4.85-11.42]), and Black (1.97 [1.06-3.65]) or Hispanic (OR = 3.61 [1.42-9.16]) race, were associated with missed appointment. Implementation of patient navigation reduced missed appointment rates for CaP related ambulatory encounters. Identifying risk factors for missed appointment may aid in targeting navigation services to those most likely to benefit from this intervention.

Prostate cancer awareness and screening among men in a rural community in Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Background

Globally, prostate cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men with the highest mortality rates being in Asia and Africa. The screening rates have been very low among men from developing countries with the majority presenting in advanced stages of the disease. The study aimed to assess the awareness of prostate cancer and screening among men aged 40–69 years in a rural community in Kenya.

Methods

This cross-sectional mixed-method survey was conducted among men aged 40–69 years. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire among 576 men and a Focus Group Discussion guide among 44 men. The study was conducted in all the community units in Gatundu North and Kiambu Sub-counties, Kenya.

Results

Five hundred and seventy-six men participated with a response rate of 100%. Of the men interviewed, 84% had ever heard of prostate cancer. Slightly below half (40.6%) of the respondents had ever heard of prostate cancer screening. There was the existence of myths and misconceptions which predominantly associated prostate cancer with sexual behaviors. Overall, 57.3% of the respondents had a low level of awareness of prostate cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer screening was 5%. Willingness to undergo screening in the future was high (81%) among the participants. The most frequently cited (56.9%) reason for lack of willingness to screen was the participant’s belief that they were well. Participants who were aware of prostate cancer screening were more likely to take up screening (OR = 8.472; 95% CI: 1.554- 46.186; P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Awareness of prostate cancer symptoms, treatment, and screening was low with the existence of myths and misconceptions. The level of prostate cancer screening was abysmally low. It is vital for the Ministry of Health, county governments, and other stakeholders to consider the use of multifaceted approaches to increase public awareness on prostate cancer to enhance informed shared decision making. The study provides relevant information for designing prevention and control programs for prostate cancer.

The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model on Preventive Behaviors of Prostate Cancer in Military Men

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer, and after lung cancer, is the second cause of death among all types of cancer in men. This study was done to assess the educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model on the promotion of preventive behaviors of prostate cancer among military men.

METHODS

The present study is a semi-experimental study that was conducted on 80 men of a military collection by using randomized-stratified sampling with proportional allocation approach in BandarAbbas in 2017. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups, intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40). The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic questions, knowledge questions and questions about Health Belief Model constructs and efficiency of preventive behavior that was completed in two stages and PSA Test doing. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software-version 21-, descriptive statistics (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent T-test and paired T-test).

RESULTS

After three months intervention, the mean score of Perceived Susceptibility, Severity, Benefits, Barriers, Self-Efficacy, and preventive behavior performance were seen significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05), 52.5% of them was done PSA Test.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the health belief model, educational intervention has been effective in promoting preventive behaviors. According the effect of Health Belief Model components on preventive behaviors it is suggested that health care providers identify the benefits and barriers of preventative behaviors and through enhancing the benefits and reducing the barriers, help men to prevent prostate cancer.

Awareness of prostate cancer diagnosis and management among Turkish males: a cross sectional study from Çorum

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among men in the United States and the second most common cancer in Turkey. The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in industrialized countries.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge about prostate cancer, its diagnosis, and treatment among patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.Methods: This study was performed from January to April 2015 with the patients applied to our clinic. A questionnaire that includes 10 questions was administered to the participants.Results: One hundred fifty-nine participants were included in this study. The participants' ages were between 40 and 82 with a mean age of 61.5 ± 7.9 years. Patient awareness of prostate biopsy and prostate cancer were 21.37 and 71.06%. The main origin awareness of PSA testing is family and friends. On the other hand, if the doctor advises acout prostate biopsy, 47.16% of the patients would accept and 11.31% of them would refuse this invasive procedure.Conclusion: Prostate cancer is one of the important health-related problem among men in the world. Additional researches are needed to investigate the knowledge of prostate cancer among men and the Ministry of Health may take preventive methods to increase the cancer knowledge level of people.

Effects of the Training About Prostate Cancer and Screening Methods on Knowledge Level

This quasi-experimental study aims to identify the effects of the training about prostate cancer and screening methods given to men aged 40 and over on their knowledge level. It was found that there were no differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of the perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, health motivation, perceived barriers, and perceived benefits subscale mean scores, but the posttest data revealed that the perceived susceptibility, health motivation, and perceived benefits subscale mean scores of the experimental group were higher and their perceived barriers mean score was lower; the differences between the mean scores were statistically significant (p < .05, p < .01, p < .001). An analysis of the Health Belief Model after the training about prostate cancer and screening methods showed that the training was effective. Actually, the authors recommended that especially male nurses can play an effective role in training about prostate cancer and screening methods for men in Turkey.

Differences in Dementia Beliefs between Non-Demented Public Screeners and In-Home Screeners and Their Potential Impact on Future Dementia Screening Intention: The Nakajima Study

In many cohort studies of dementia, while differences in sociodemographic characters between responders and non-responders of dementia screening have been reported, differences in dementia beliefs have been relatively less known. The aims of this study were to clarify dementia beliefs and to explore potential impacts on an intention to attend a future dementia screening in public screeners and in-home screeners, respectively. We performed a cross-sectional population-based study using a question about an intention to attend a future dementia screening and a questionnaire on dementia beliefs. Subjects were all residents aged 65 years or older in the north area of Nakajima, Japan (n = 385). All subjects were asked to attend a public dementia screening first. An in-home dementia screening was subsequently conducted in subjects with non-responders to a public screening. The questionnaire consisted of four dementia beliefs: "perceived susceptibility," "perceived severity," "perceived barriers," and "perceived benefits." Public screeners significantly expressed an intention to attend a future dementia screening more than in-home screeners (p = 0.002). In in-home screeners, low "perceived severity" were significantly associated with an intention to attend a future dementia screening [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.51 (0.32-0.80)]. In both public and in-home screeners, high "perceived benefits" were significantly associated with an intention to attend a future dementia screening [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.13 (1.46-3.10); adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.56 (1.22-5.35), respectively]. It is necessary to reduce "perceived severity" among in-home screeners to increase dementia screening participants.

Effects of an Educational Program for Prostate Cancer Prevention on knowledge and PSA Testing in Men Over 50 Years old in Community Areas of Shiraz in 2016

Background and Objectives:

Prostate cancer was reported to be the second cause of cancer death in men in 2013. Studies have shown that those with higher knowledge levels are much more likely to undergo prostate cancer screening. The present study was aimed to determinate the effect of an educational program for prostate cancer prevention on knowledge and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in men over 50 years old in community areas of Shiraz.

Methods:

This clinical trial was conducted among 93 men over 50 years old who were randomly divided into an intervention (n=48) and a control (n=45) group. The intervention group took part in an educational program focusing on the importance of prostate cancer prevention with emphasis on cultural and economic issues. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Weinrich questionnaire for measuring the knowledge level about prostate cancer and screening, and also a researcher-made questionnaire covering reasons for not doing the test, before and 3 months after the intervention. Additionally, participation in PSA testing was evaluated 3 months after the intervention. All data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (version 14) and p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Findings:

The results showed that the intervention group’s participation in PSA testing increased from 6.12% to 36.4% three months after the intervention. However, no significant change was observed in the control group. In addition, the intervention group’s mean score of knowledge increased by about 2.69 points after the intervention, and a significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of the current study revealed effectiveness of the educational program in increasing the knowledge about prostate cancer and participation in PSA testing in men over 50 years of age. Hence, managers and authorities should execute plans to educate men regarding prostate cancer screening and promote their health status.

The Reliability and Validity of Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory in Turkish Language

This study aimed to conduct the reliability and validity study of the Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory in Turkish language. The study carried out in methodological type and consisted of 171 men. The ages of the participants ranged between 40 and 82. The content validity index was determined to be 0.80, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value 0.825, Bartlett's test X ² = 750.779 and p = 0.000. Then the principal component analysis was applied to the 15-item inventory. The inventory consisted of one dimension, and the load factors were over 0.30 for all items. The explained variance of the inventory was found 33.3 %. The Kuder-Richardson-20 coefficient was determined to be 0.849 and the item-total correlations ranged between 0.335 and 0.627. The Prostate Cancer Fatalism Inventory was a reliable and valid measurement tool in Turkish language. Integrating psychological strategies for prostate cancer screening may be required to strengthen the positive effects of nursing education.

The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education through Telegram Instant Messaging Services on Pap smear performance

Background:

Pap smear is an effective screening method for early detection of cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) through Telegram instant messaging services on the Pap smear test.

Material and methods:

This research was a quasi-experimental study which was performed on 106 eligible women (48 participants in the intervention group and 47 participants in the control group). The patients in both groups completed the written consent form and questionnaires at the beginning of the study. In intervention group, the educational content based on HBM was regularly sent via Telegram during one month. After education and three months later, both groups completed questionnaires. Then, the data was analyzed with using SPSS version 22.

Results:

The findings showed that the two groups at first were similar in demographic characteristics. In the intervention group, the mean difference of the scores before and immediate post training on the knowledge and all of the constructs were significant (P<0.001). Also, the mean difference of the scores before and three months after training on knowledge and all of the constructs (except for perceived barriers) has increased and about the perceived barriers this difference has decreased significantly compared to the score before the training. In the control group, changes in knowledge and other constructs were not significant in during the study. Within the three months after the training, 23 participants (47.9%) in the intervention group, and 4 participants (5.8%) in the control group performed Pap smear which indicates a statistically significant difference (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

With regard to the individuals’ access to mobile phone, content posted by Telegram on the HBM-based education affects the women’s belief and behavior regarding Pap smear test.

Knowledge of Prostate Cancer and Screening Among Young Multiethnic Black Men

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of prostate cancer and screening and its associated factors in young Black men aged 18 to 40 years. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a convenience sample of 267 young Black men in Austin, Texas. Knowledge about prostate cancer and screening was operationalized through 14 items, including 12 items from the Knowledge about Prostate Cancer Screening Questionnaire (PC knowledge), and two items assessing dietary knowledge and prostate cancer screening controversy. PC knowledge scores were regressed on age, cues to action, health screening experience, and demographic/personal factors. Most participants were African American men of American origin (65.3%) and were college freshmen (18.9%). PC knowledge scores were low, with mean correct responses of 28.5%, mean knowledge score of 5.25 ± 3.81 (possible score range of 0 to 14, with higher scores indicating higher PC knowledge) and a median score of 5.00. On average, 47% of the respondents replied “Don’t Know” to the questions. Overall, PC knowledge scores were low among these young Black men, especially in domains related to risk factors, screening age guidelines, limitations, and diet. It is thus important that these men be educated more on these important domains of prostate cancer and screening so that the decision to screen or not will be an informed one. Health screening experience, residence area, major field of study, and academic classification were significant predictors of knowledge.

Determinants of Behavioral Intentions to Screen for Prostate Cancer in Omani Men

Objective:

This study aimed at exploring the perceived barriers and intention to screen for prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods:

A survey questionnaire and a descriptive design were used to collect data from 129 Omani men above the age of 40 years. The questionnaire comprised the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), barriers, and intention to screen scales. The participants were recruited from barbershops located in two cities of Oman.

Results:

The mean IPSS score was 8.31 ± 3.34 and the majority of participants had mild prostate cancer symptoms (60.4%). The others had moderate (28.7%) or severe symptoms (10.9%). Most men had low-to-moderate intention to screen using the method of digital rectal examination (DRE) (76%) and prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) (69.8%). The most common barriers to screening were fear of finding out something wrong (48.1%), not knowing what will be done during screening (54.3%), belief that PCa is not a serious disease (55.8%), and belief that DRE is embarrassing (56.6%). The significant determinants of intention to screen using DRE were perceived threat of the disease (P = 0.006) and past information from doctors that one has any prostate disease (P = 0.017). The determinants of intention to screen using PSA were perceived threat of the disease (P = 0.025), perceived general health (P = 0.047), and past information from doctors that one has any prostate disease (P = 0.017).

Conclusions:

The participants had diminutive intention to undergo PCa screening. Interventions aimed at enhancing PCa disease and risk awareness may help to reduce the barriers and increase PCa screening uptake.

Effect of web-supported health education on knowledge of health and healthy-living behaviour of female staff in a Turkish university

BACKGROUND

Once limited with face-to face courses, health education has now moved into the web environment after new developments in information technology This study was carried out in order to give training to the university academic and administrative female staff who have difficulty in attending health education planned for specific times and places. The web-supported training focuses on healthy diet, the importance of physical activity, damage of smoking and stress management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out in Sakarya University between the years 2012-2013 as a descriptive and quasi experimental study. The sample consisted of 30 participants who agreed to take part in the survey, filled in the forms and completed the whole training. The data were collected via a "Personel Information Form", "Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLSP)", and "Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference between the total points from "Health Promotion Life-Style Profile" and the total points from the sub-scale after and before the training (t=3.63, p=0.001). When the points from the multiple choice questionnaire after and before training were compared, it was seen that the average points were higher after the training (t=8.57, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that web-supported health training has a positive effect on the healthy living behaviour of female staff working at a Turkish university and on their knowledge of health promotion.

Enhancing Knowledge, Beliefs, and Intention to Screen for Prostate Cancer via Different Health Educational Interventions: a Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men globally, constituting the sixth leading cause of cancer related death in males, and the eleventh leading cause of death from cancer in all age groups. In Jordan, prostate cancer is the third most common cancer in the male population, accounting for one third (6.2%) of cancer related deaths and in 2010 alone, 218 (9.4%) new cases were identified.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of different health education interventions aimed at enhancing knowledge, beliefs and intention to screen for prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search from January 2000 to April 2015 was conducted using the key words "prostate disease," "educational program," "knowledge," "prostate cancer," "demographic factors and prostate cancer," "knowledge and prostate cancer," "education for patients with prostate cancer," "factors that affect intention to screen," "knowledge, beliefs, and intention to screen for prostate cancer," "impact of prostate educational program on beliefs," and "impact of educational program on intention to screen."

RESULTS

Majority of studies reviewed indicated that men had low levels of knowledge regarding prostate cancer, and mild to moderate beliefs with good intention to screen for prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Most studies indicated that men's knowledge levels about prostate cancer were poor and they had mild to moderate beliefs and intentions to screen for prostate cancer. Therefore, development of an assessment strategy based on the Health Belief Model seems essential. An effectively designed and implemented educational program can help identify the needs and priorities of the target population.

Evaluation of Quality, Content, and Use of the Web Site Prepared for Family Members Giving Care to Stroke Patients

This study was designed to evaluate the quality, content, usability, and efficacy of a Web site prepared for the purpose of improving the caregiving capability of family members who provide care for stroke survivors at home. The DISCERN score for the Web site was found to be 4.35 over 5. The first section that assesses reliability of the Web site was 4.38 over 5; mean score of the second section that measures the quality of the provided information on treatment/care options was 4.30, and mean score of the third section that gives a general evaluation of the material was 4.1. The Web site content achieved an average score of 3.47 over 4 after evaluation by experts. The Web site system usability score was found to be 79.4 over 100. The Web site was utilized mostly for exercises in bed (76.3%; n = 29), use of medications, and patient safety (68.4%; n = 26). It was determined that those who were younger and employed and had no previous experience of nursing any patient utilized relatively more from the section of patient nutrition and oral care and married family caregivers from the body hygiene section. The Web site quality and content were judged to be good and reliable to use. The Web site was efficiently used by caregivers.

The impact of educational sessions provided on prostate cancer, and its screening tests on the knowledge level, and participation behavior of the individuals in questionnaire surveys

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to inform male participants aged fifty and older who have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer about prostate cancer screenings and to examine their participation behavior in these screenings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, in which an experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was used, data were collected from 3 family health centers in the city center of Kars between April and July 2013. The sample group consisted of 113 male participants aged fifty years or over. A personal information and a knowledge test forms about prostate cancer screening were used to collect the data. The statistical power of the study was determined to be 0.99.

RESULTS

The mean pretest knowledge scores of the participants were determined be similar. In the posttest, the mean knowledge score of the experimental group was significantly increased compared to that of the control group. In terms of screening participation frequency, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups during the period after the training. The knowledge level was higher in patients who had previously undergone a prostate examination and/or their prostate specific antigen (PSA) level measured or those with a family history of prostate cancer or in cases with a history of a benign prostatic disease.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the knowledge level of the risk group can be increased by training. The study also found that the increase in the knowledge level did not affect the participation behavior of the individuals in the screening tests.

What is lacking in current decision aids on cancer screening?

Recent guidelines on cancer screening have provided not only more screening options but also conflicting recommendations. Thus, patients, with their clinicians' support, must decide whether to get screened, which modality to use, and how often to undergo screening. Decision aids could potentially lead to better shared decision-making regarding screening between the patient and the clinician. A total of 73 decision aids concerning screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers were reviewed. The goal of this review was to assess the effectiveness of such decision aids, examine areas in need of more research, and determine how the decision aids can be currently applied in the real-world setting. Most studies used sound study designs. Significant variation existed in the setting, theoretical framework, and measured outcomes. Just over one-third of the decision aids included an explicit values clarification. Other than knowledge, little consistency was noted with regard to which patient attributes were measured as outcomes. Few studies actually measured shared decision-making. Little information was available regarding the feasibility and outcomes of integrating decision aids into practice. In this review, the implications for future research, as well as what clinicians can do now to incorporate decision aids into their practice, are discussed.