August 2023: Paper of the Month by Benedict et al., 2023 – Strategies to enhance the approach to prostate cancer screening of South African Black men in the Free State: a Delphi study.
The paper aimed to address knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) gaps among primary healthcare providers and users, specifically African men, regarding prostate cancer (PCa) screening in the Free State, South Africa. The study utilized a three-round modified Delphi survey to gather insights from a multidisciplinary panel of 19 experts. The goal was to reach a consensus on strategies to enhance the approach to PCa screening for African men in the study setting.
The study identified two main groups of strategies to enhance PCa screening:
Strategies for Primary Healthcare Users (African Men): These strategies were categorized into themes, including the content of health education (WHAT), the methods of delivering health education (HOW), the individuals responsible for delivering education (WHO), and the venues for health education (WHERE). The aim was to design community health education that effectively educates African men about relevant PCa topics, delivered through appropriate methods and channels.
Strategies for Primary Healthcare Providers (HCPs): These strategies aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of primary HCPs in the context of PCa screening. Continuing education topics (WHAT) and methods of instruction (HOW) were suggested. The study aimed to equip healthcare providers with up-to-date information and effective instructional methods to enhance their role in promoting PCa screening.
The text also highlights that shared decision-making (SDM) is crucial in the context of conditions with a balance between benefits and harms, such as PCa screening. Consensus was achieved on involving men with a family history of PCa or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in SDM for PCa screening. However, there was variation in consensus on other aspects, such as fatalistic attitudes, situational barriers, and disadvantages of PCa screening, which could be addressed in workshops or discussions.
Additionally, the experts’ views on the inclusion of patient navigators and traditional leaders as strategies for promoting PCa health education varied. The text notes that knowledge gaps among healthcare providers about PCa were identified, and consensus was reached on continuing education topics for them.
In a nutshell, the study aimed to fill KAP gaps related to PCa screening among both healthcare providers and users. The findings provide a consensus-based framework for enhancing the approach to PCa screening for African men in the Free State, South Africa, with specific attention to tailored health education, continuing education for providers, and shared decision-making approaches.
Why is this paper important?
The paper’s findings and the identification of strategies to enhance the approach to prostate cancer (PCa) screening for African men in the Free State, South Africa, hold significant importance for several reasons:
Health Disparities: Prostate cancer disproportionately affects South African black men. The increasing incidence and mortality rates highlight the urgent need to address the disparities in PCa outcomes. Designing effective strategies to promote PCa screening among this demographic is crucial to reducing health inequities.
Knowledge and Awareness: The existence of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) gaps among both primary healthcare providers (HCPs) and users (African men) regarding PCa screening signifies a lack of awareness and understanding. Bridging these gaps can lead to informed decision-making, earlier detection, and improved health outcomes.
Early Detection and Treatment: Early detection of prostate cancer significantly improves treatment success rates and survival rates. Educating both healthcare providers and users about the importance of regular screenings can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially saving lives.
Shared Decision-Making: Shared decision-making (SDM) is a critical aspect of healthcare that empowers patients to make informed choices about their health. Encouraging SDM for PCa screening involves collaborative discussions between healthcare providers and patients, considering individual risk factors, preferences, and potential benefits and harms.
Community Engagement: The study’s focus on community health education strategies underscores the importance of engaging with the community to disseminate accurate information about PCa and screenings. Community involvement can lead to higher levels of understanding, trust, and uptake of healthcare practices.
Healthcare Provider Training: Equipping primary healthcare providers with updated knowledge and effective instructional methods is vital. HCPs play a central role in promoting screenings, addressing concerns, and facilitating informed decisions. Proper training can enhance their ability to educate and engage patients.
Holistic Approach: The study’s multidisciplinary nature, involving a panel of experts from various fields, ensures a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue. It takes into account medical, social, cultural, and educational aspects, resulting in more effective strategies.
Policy and Practice Implications: The identified strategies can inform healthcare policies, guidelines, and practices in the region. Governments, healthcare organizations, and advocacy groups can use these insights to develop targeted interventions and campaigns that improve PCa screening rates.
Research Gap Filling: The scarcity of research on strategies to address KAP gaps in PCa screening among South African black men is addressed by this study. Its findings contribute valuable knowledge to the existing literature and provide a foundation for further research and action.
In essence, the study’s importance lies in its potential to positively impact health outcomes by promoting early detection, informed decision-making, and community engagement in PCa screening among African men in the Free State, South Africa. It addresses a critical health disparity and offers practical solutions to enhance healthcare practices and awareness.
Cite this article as (APA format):
African Researchers Magazine (2023). August 2023: Paper of the Month by Benedict et al., 2023 – Strategies to enhance the approach to prostate cancer screening of South African Black men in the Free State: a Delphi study.. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/august-2023-paper-of-the-month-by-benedict-et-al-2023-strategies-to-enhance-the-approach-to-prostate-cancer-screening-of-south-african-black-men-in-the-free-state-a-delphi-study/
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