An exploratory investigation of prostate cancer knowledge, cultural beliefs, and values among black men of West African ancestry

A3 Introduction: Understanding the primary reasons for the prostate cancer (CaP) disparity experienced by African American men (AAM) is essential for successful intervention programs to eliminate this disparity. None of the published population-based studies reported in the literature has attempted to compare CaP burden in AAM to their ancestral source population, Central and West Africans. More disconcerting is the fact that little attempt has been made by researchers to separate other Black men of African ancestry (such as African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants) from the broad category of “African Americans”. As part of a larger study on the burden of and risk factors for CaP among Black men of West African ancestry, we conducted an exploratory study comparing the CaP knowledge, cultural beliefs and values of AAM, Nigerian men living in the US (USN) and indigenous Nigerian men (IN). Materials and Methods: Using a structured survey, CaP knowledge, cultural beliefs and values, and demographic data were collected from AAM in Orlando (Florida), USN men in Houston (Texas), and IN men in Abeokuta (Nigeria). The following cultural beliefs and values were explored in this study: Cancer fatalism - an individual’s belief that death is bound to happen when diagnosed with cancer; Acculturation - reflection of the extent to which individuals from a non-dominant culture learn the values, behaviors, lifestyles, and language of the host dominant culture; Temporal orientation - individual’s perception of time as being in the past, present or future; and Religious coping . Analysis of Variance was conducted to test the following hypothesis: AAM, USN men, and IN men will differ on their CaP knowledge, cultural values and beliefs. Results: Completed responses were obtained from 81 AAM, 121 USN men and 128 IN men. The demographic characteristics of the three groups were similar. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of the IN men had never been screened for CaP and only 6% of the IN men received PSA/DRE recommendation from a health care provider within the last year. The results of the Analysis of Variance supported the stated study hypothesis. AAM had the highest mean score on CaP knowledge while IN men had the lowest score. Religious coping was highest among IN men and lowest among AAM. Based on the temporal orientation scores, IN men were more present-oriented compared to AAM and USN men. The level of acculturation indicated that AAM were the most acculturated to the values, behaviors, lifestyles, and language of another culture, in this case the dominant Caucasian culture. Cancer fatalism was also highest among AAM and lowest among IN men. Conclusion: It is interesting to note the significant differences among AAM, USN men and IN men relative to their cultural beliefs and values. Currently, there is no published study that has explored the role of AAM’s cultural worldview on CaP prevention and detection behavior. Considering the close genetic tie between AAM and West African men, this study provides insightful preliminary data on personal level factors that may affect CaP disparity variations among Blacks in the US, especially with US-born and foreign-born Blacks. For example, a health advantage has been proposed for US Black immigrants. If this is the case for CaP, the next step is to understand why this health advantage exists to better address the disparities experienced by US Black men.