Abstract B82: Predictors of intention to obtain colorectal cancer screening among African American men in a state fair setting

Racial disparities in health among African American men in the United States are appalling: African American men have the highest mortality and incidence rates from colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to all other ethnic, racial, and gender groups. Juxtaposed to their white counterparts, African American men have CRC incidence and mortality rates 25% and 50% higher, respectively. CRC is a treatable and preventable condition when detected early, yet the intricate factors influencing African American men's intention to screen remain understudied. Employing a non-experimental, on-line survey research design at the Minnesota State Fair, the purpose of this study was to explore whether male role norms affect knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen for CRC directly, or mediated by perceived barriers, among 297 African American men. As hypothesized, these Minnesota men (ages 18-65) lacked appropriate CRC knowledge: only 33% of the sample received a “passing” knowledge score (85% or better). In a logistic regression model, the three factors significantly associated with a higher probability of obtaining CRC screening were age, perceived barriers, and perceived subjective norms. Findings from this study provide a solid basis for informing health policy and designing health promotion and early-intervention CRC prevention programs that are responsive to the needs of African American men in Minnesota and beyond. Citation Format: Charles R. Rogers, Patricia Goodson, Lindsey R. Dietz, Kola S. Okuyemi. Predictors of intention to obtain colorectal cancer screening among African American men in a state fair setting. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B82.