Evaluating leadership training in African American HIV prevention organizations.

This article aimed to examine changes in the HIV prevention capacity of HIV prevention program managers who completed the Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership ("Institute") between 2002 and 2004, and who worked in community-based organizations that primarily served African Americans. Participants completed a survey at three points in time, in which they rated the frequency with which they conducted activities related to HIV prevention practice. Participants also rated their confidence in performing activities. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to detect differences at three time points (baseline, immediate posttest, and 6 months posttest). A significant overall positive trend was found in the frequency and confidence of participants to perform specific HIV prevention practices and an overall positive trend in the frequency of processes that support HIV prevention practice. Investment in long-term, intensive, capacity-building programs like the Institute is critical to address the increasing incidence of HIV in many African American communities.

Prostate cancer community collaboration and partnership: education, awareness, recruitment, and outreach to southern African-American males.

Prostate cancer is a significant health problem for African-American men intensified by low participation in screenings, clinical trials, and prospective cohort studies. Ten focus groups were conducted with African-American males and their female partners/spouses. Perceptions and knowledge about prostate cancer, as well as willingness to participate in screening and research studies were measured. Participants had a basic level of knowledge about prostate cancer, and the importance of education was a unified theme. Dialogue with targeted African-American men and their partners/spouses may increase awareness and retention in medical research, while influencing health promotion, education and behavior.

Conceptual framework for the provision of culturally competent services in public health settings.

To develop a conceptual framework for the provision of culturally competent services in public health based on literature and expert panel reviews. Public health professionals conducted expert panel reviews for face and content validity of the conceptual framework. Results from the panel and theories from public health literature were used to strengthen the framework. Based on an ecological perspective, the framework consists of systems, sub-systems, concepts, and characteristics, including the context, individual provider, organization, service, and client. This framework is viable for the provision of culturally competent services in a variety of public health settings.

Program prioritization to control chronic diseases in African-American faith-based communities.

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, African-American congregations have been inundated with requests to participate in health promotion activities; however, most are not equipped to effectively participate. We assessed the effect of providing congregation leaders with skills on identifying their own health needs, planning, and implementing their own interventions. METHODS: At baseline, 21 congregational leaders from South East Raleigh, NC were taught methods for developing needs assessments, planning, and implementing health promotion activities tailored for their congregations. After approximately four years, 14 of the 21 congregations were successfully recontacted. RESULTS: At baseline, the congregation leadership ranked diabetes as the ninth (out of 10) most urgent health concern in their communities. However, at follow-up, not only was diabetes identified as the most serious health concern, but most congregations had taken advantage of available community and congregational resources to prevent it. Larger congregations were more likely than smaller ones to take advantage of available resources. CONCLUSIONS: Larger African-American congregations are an effective vehicle by which health promotion messages can diffuse; however, the leadership must be provided with skills to assess health needs before selecting programs most beneficial to their congregations. Mechanisms by which small congregation leaders can participate need development.

African American men, prostate cancer screening and informed decision making.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in African American men. African Americans are at increased risk over other groups and have higher mortality. Since prostate cancer is highly variable among men, medical organizations are not in agreement whether men should be screened or the appropriate ages to screen. Many of these organizations recommend discussion with patients about the benefits and limitations of screening. Some of these groups support informed decision-making (IDM). Through IDM, the patient obtains all of the information about prostate cancer including risk, to make an informed choice regarding screening. Due to several factors including lowered engagement of African American men in the healthcare system, disparities in treatment, increased risk in developing and dying from the disease, as well as other cultural and structural constraints, IDM is examined and proposed as an appropriate tool for African American men. The use of IDM is discussed, along with several challenges and cautions. We conclude with recommendations and suggestions to the provider and patient to facilitate discussions regarding prostate cancer.