Date of Conferral
8-13-2024
Date of Award
August 2024
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Richard Palmer
Abstract
To efficiently identify and prevent the advancement of prostate cancer and decrease mortality rates, it is crucial to examine the impact of health literacy. Despite potential advantages associated with enhanced health literacy and early detection, the United States continues to witness a significant rise in both new prostate cancer cases and mortality rates, emphasizing the severity of the condition. However, it is unclear if those with high health literacy are discouraged from participating in prostate cancer screening due to the risks associated with screening. Based on the stimulus organism response model, 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were analyzed in this study using binary logistic regression and mediation analysis to investigate the connection between health literacy on 210,606 men aged 50 and above in the United States and their likelihood of screening as well to explore the mediating influence of doctor’s advice on health literacy and prostate cancer screening. Factors considered included doctor’s recommendations, age, income, and race. A significant association was found between high health literacy, doctor’s advice, and prostate cancer screening. The findings showed that a positive correlation exists between not undergoing screening and the influence of a doctor’s recommendation. White and Hispanic men are more likely to undergo screening than Blacks, other races, and multiracial men. The likelihood of screening was found to be 3 times higher in men aged 60–64 than in the 50–54 age range. Men with high incomes were found to screen more than those with lower incomes. These findings underscore the need to modify health policies and guidelines, especially for low-literate populations, to improve health outcomes and promote positive social change in health care services.
Recommended Citation
Akunna, Felicia Njideka, "Association Between High Health Literacy, Doctor's Recommendation, and Prostate Cancer Screening Among Men in the United States" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16394.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16394
