Approximately one in every seven American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Men of African descent have higher incidence and mortality rates than others. Prostate cancer screening is important because the five-year survival rate is only 31% post-metastasis. The purpose of this study was to assess the likelihood of action for and factors influencing choice regarding prostate screenings. It was also to determine if a relationship existed between ethnicity (African American and Afro-Caribbean American men) and knowledge of prostate health, self-efficacy, perceived barriers to and belief regarding prostate screening. Data collection methods included a focus group (n = 8) among African American and Afro-Caribbean American men (M = 53.8, 10.3) and self-administered surveys (n = 113) among African American (n = 49, 45.4%) and Afro-Caribbean American (n = 38, 35.2%) men (M = 59.5, 16.4) from churches in South Florida using convenience sampling and the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework. Knowledge was assessed using a combined version of the Knowledge and Practice of Prostate Health Questionnaire and Prostate Cancer Screening Education (PROCASE) Knowledge Index. Self-efficacy was measured as decisional conflict reported from the Low Literacy Decisional Conflict Scale. Barriers were identified from a Perceived Barriers Survey. Beliefs were measured as spiritual well-being and evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being, a modified version for non-illness (FACIT-Sp Non-Illness). Almost half of African American (47.9%) and nearly a third (29%) of Afro-Caribbean American participants were unaware of participation or did not participate in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Findings indicated prostate screening concerns, inadequate knowledge, past negative experiences, and cost may contribute to low prostate screening rates. Both ethnicities did not differ in knowledge of prostate health or self-efficacy for making an informed decision regarding prostate screening. Potential targets for outreach efforts among these ethnic groups could include faith-based medical partnerships to diminish health disparities. Future intervention studies would benefit from a focus on diverse cultures and ethnicities in different settings and culturally appropriate strategies for nurses and other health professionals to use when assisting patients with informed decision making regarding prostate cancer screening.

While obesity is a nationwide phenomenon, African Americans - especially women - continue to be more severely affected than any other ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 20% of African American women are obese compared to 15.6% of Caucasian women. The church is an important community center for many African Americans, and is often a site for health promotion programs, though little is known of the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to study the experiences and attitudes of African American women who have gone through a church-based weight-loss program. Questions were asked about the cultural, environmental and social barriers to weight loss, and the components of effective church-based weight loss programs. Using a phenomenological approach, this study was designed to capture new data for the development of sustainable church-based weight-loss programs. The theory of social support was used as a theoretical framework. The major themes arising from the data concerned the importance of: (a) social support on all levels; (b) the involvement of the pastor, his spouse, or other church leadership; (c) the inclusion of weight-loss participants in program design; (d) a holistic program design to meet the needs of the entire family; and (e) a culturally sensitive program. The inclusion of all these elements is recommended for future programs. The social change implication is that these recommendations could be helpful in the design, development, and implementation of sustainable church-based weight-loss programs for African American women.

No description available.

A structured questionnaire was used to survey the perceptions of programme coordinators, fieldworkers and beneficiaries of the role of church-based programmes in addressing HIV and AIDS in the inner-city of Durban. One hundred and ninety two respondents were recruited from seventeen churches. Findings indicate that fear of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination abound. The material and spiritual roles of church-based programmes in addressing the needs of people infected with HIV and affected by HIV and AIDS were stressed by the respondents. Whereas programme coordinators were well informed about HIV and AIDS, information that can dispel fears about stigma and correct myths about HIV-transmission should be tailored to reach ordinary men and women. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the preventive aspects of church-based programmes in the Durban inner-city. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

A structured questionnaire was used to survey the perceptions of programme coordinators, fieldworkers and beneficiaries of the role of church-based programmes in addressing HIV and AIDS in the inner-city of Durban. One hundred and ninety two respondents were recruited from seventeen churches. Findings indicate that fear of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination abound. The material and spiritual roles of church-based programmes in addressing the needs of people infected with HIV and affected by HIV and AIDS were stressed by the respondents. Whereas programme coordinators were well informed about HIV and AIDS, information that can dispel fears about stigma and correct myths about HIV-transmission should be tailored to reach ordinary men and women. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the preventive aspects of church-based programmes in the Durban inner-city. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)