Evaluating a Theory-based Health Education Intervention to Improve Awareness of Prostate Cancer among Men in Western Jamaica

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a theory-based health education intervention on awareness of prostate cancer and intention to screen among men in Western Jamaica. Methods: One hundred and eighty-eight men attending outpatient clinics in a hospital in Western Jamaica completed an interviewer-administered pretest survey. Following the pretest, participants received a health education intervention related to prostate cancer and an immediate post-test survey. Results: There were statistically significant increases in the percentage of correct responses between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). The greatest improvement was among items measuring knowledge of prostate cancer screening tests. Participant’s moved across the Stages of Change theoretical constructs indicating intention to screen. Conclusion: The sample was receptive to information about prostate cancer and the use of a theory-based educational intervention positively influenced knowledge of prostate cancer risk factors, symptoms, and types of screenings. Keywords: Cancer screening, health education, Jamaica, prostate cance

Why do people participate in Web surveys? Applying survey participation theory to Internet survey data collection

In recent years Web surveys have emerged as the most popular mode of primary data collection in market and social research. To improve our understanding about the influence of different societal-level factors, characteristics of the sample person, and attributes of the survey design on participation in Web surveys, this paper establishes a systematic link between theoretical frameworks used to explain survey participation behavior and state-of-the-art empirical research on online data collection methods. The concepts of self-perception, cognitive dissonance, commitment and involvement, social exchange, compliance, leverage-salience, and planned behavior are discussed and their relationship with factors that have empirically proven to influence Web survey participation are analyzed using data from an expert survey. This paper will help researchers and practitioners to make informed decisions about the use of techniques increasing participation in Web surveys