Health-seeking practices and prostate cancer screening decisions among black men in the United States, Nigeria, and Cameroon

Health-seeking practices are important for prostate cancer (CaP) screening and control. There is evidence of differences in the health practices of Black men (BM) worldwide; however, the comparison between BM’s health-seeking practices in the United States and those in Africa has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluates health-seeking practices and willingness to screen for CaP among BM in Nigeria, Cameroon, and their relatives in the United States. CaPTC family cohort study phase 1 data of 500 community-dwelling black men in Nigeria, Cameroon, and the United States 35 and 70 years were used. The association between health-seeking practices and willingness to screen for CaP was evaluated. The associations between health-seeking practices and the willingness to screen for CaP were evaluated. The majority (83.8%) reported no medical consultation in the last 12 months, and the country of residence did not improve physician visits (p= 0.378). Healthcare insurance coverage was more available to the United States participants (68.4%), 42.9% in Nigeria, and 16.7% in Cameroon. Overall willingness to screen, willingness for digital rectal examination, and prostate-specific antigen screening were significantly associated with the country of residence with p-values of 0.02, <0.01, and <0.01, respectively. United States participants showed more willingness to screen. Healthcare coverage was also associated with overall willingness to screen (p=0.033). The study showed that country of residence was not associated with physician consultation but was significantly associated with willingness for CaP screening and healthcare insurance coverage.