Strategies to enhance the approach to prostate cancer screening of South African black men in the Free State: a Delphi study
1
Family Medicine, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1423
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) are rising disproportionately among black men in South Africa. Emerging evidence suggests that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening offers greater net benefit for black men than for the general population. However, gaps in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding PCa screening persist among both primary healthcare providers (HCPs) and healthcare users (black men). In addition, there is limited research on strategies to address these gaps. This study aimed to identify complementary strategies to strengthen the approach to PCa screening for African men in the Free State province of South Africa, from the perspectives of primary HCPs and healthcare users.
METHODS:
A three-round modified Delphi survey was conducted to achieve this aim. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥70% agreement among panel members.
RESULTS:
Nineteen multidisciplinary experts participated in the survey. Consensus was reached on 34 strategies to improve the approach to PCa screening in the study context. Proposed strategies focused on community health education, including priority topics, methods of delivery, appropriate venues, and key personnel to provide the education. In addition, continuing education topics and preferred instructional methods were recommended for primary HCPs.
CONCLUSIONS:
Given the documented KAP gaps related to PCa screening among primary HCPs and black male healthcare users, this study established expert consensus on a set of complementary strategies to enhance the approach to PCa screening for South African black men in the Free State province.
The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) are rising disproportionately among black men in South Africa. Emerging evidence suggests that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening offers greater net benefit for black men than for the general population. However, gaps in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding PCa screening persist among both primary healthcare providers (HCPs) and healthcare users (black men). In addition, there is limited research on strategies to address these gaps. This study aimed to identify complementary strategies to strengthen the approach to PCa screening for African men in the Free State province of South Africa, from the perspectives of primary HCPs and healthcare users.
METHODS:
A three-round modified Delphi survey was conducted to achieve this aim. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥70% agreement among panel members.
RESULTS:
Nineteen multidisciplinary experts participated in the survey. Consensus was reached on 34 strategies to improve the approach to PCa screening in the study context. Proposed strategies focused on community health education, including priority topics, methods of delivery, appropriate venues, and key personnel to provide the education. In addition, continuing education topics and preferred instructional methods were recommended for primary HCPs.
CONCLUSIONS:
Given the documented KAP gaps related to PCa screening among primary HCPs and black male healthcare users, this study established expert consensus on a set of complementary strategies to enhance the approach to PCa screening for South African black men in the Free State province.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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