Connect2Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Smartphone-based Application for Prostate Cancer Education and Screenings for African American Men
University of Oklahoma
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in African American men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is an early detection screening tool for prostate cancer, however, knowledge about prostate cancer and screening benefits and risks and uptake of PSA screening remains low among African American men. To address this inequity, this project proposes the use of the Connect2Care App to improve knowledge of prostate cancer, screening benefits, risks and increase readiness to complete a PSA test (e.g., intentions, motivation, confidence, and self-efficacy). The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Connect2Care App in a 30-day randomized control trial compared to an existing app developed by the U.S. Department of Health \& Human Services (Prevention Taskforce App). African American men between the ages of 45 and 69 from Oklahoma (N = 266), who are not up to date with PSA screening according to recommended guidelines, will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either app. The app feasibility will be assessed: (1) efficacy, evaluated via post-intervention differences in knowledge of prostate cancer, screening benefits and risks, (2) app engagement and accessibility, measured via self-report validated questionnaires, and (3) app acceptability, explored via semi-structured qualitative interviews. We will explore readiness to complete a PSA test and identify predictors of readiness across both study arms. The successful demonstration of the feasibility of the Connect2Care App among African American men living in Oklahoma will support expanding this intervention to African American men nationwide.
Description
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in African American men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is an early detection screening tool for prostate cancer, however, knowledge about prostate cancer and screening benefits and risks and uptake of PSA screening remains low among African American men. To address this inequity, this project proposes the use of the Connect2Care App to improve knowledge of prostate cancer, screening benefits, risks and increase readiness to complete a PSA test (e.g., intentions, motivation, confidence,…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 45–69 years
- Sex
- Male
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Live in Oklahoma * Self-identify as Black/African American * Self-identify as male * Between ages 45-69 * Not currently diagnosed with prostate cancer Exclusion Criteria: * Participants will be excluded if they are not interested in using a phone app for 30 days * Has taken a PSA test or has completed PSA screening within the past two years
Interventions
- BehavioralProstate Cancer Genius App
Participants assigned to use the Prostate Cancer Genius App will receive a combination of (a) scheduled and (b) on-demand content prostate cancer for one month. Scheduled content will be delivered on specific days each week using app notifications. Participants will also receive tailored navigation for ordering a home-based PSA kit, including receiving follow-up information from trained medical professionals about their test results.
- BehavioralUS Prevention Taskforce App
Participants assigned to use the US Prevention Task Force app will download the app from Google Play and will be instructed to use the app for one-month to to become more informed about prostate cancer. They will also be instructed to download a companion app from the Google Play store. This companion app will be used to deliver weekly assessments and order a home-based PSA test kit if the participant chooses to so. Participants assigned to the Prevention Taskforce app will receive a brochure providing details about the purpose of the home-based PSA test.
Location
- TSET Health Promotion Research CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma