Connect2Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Smartphone-based Application for Prostate Cancer Education and Screenings for African American Men
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.
• Live in Oklahoma
• Self-identify as Black/African American
• Self-identify as male
• Between ages 45-69
• Not currently diagnosed with prostate cancer