This study investigates the impact of seeking information about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on men's PSA test use during a period of conflicting recommendations. Analyses used longitudinal survey data collected in 2005 and 2006 from a nationally representative sample of U.
S. males aged 40-70 years (n = 777). Cross-sectionally, nonmedical information seeking was significantly associated with increased odds of having a PSA test in the past year (Time 1 odds ratio [OR] = 9. 74, p < . 01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4. 37, 21. 70; Time 2 OR = 5. 78, p < . 01, 95% CI = 3. 17, 10. 55). However, lagged analyses showed that among men who had a PSA at Time 1, active seeking is associated with reduced odds of later having a PSA test (OR = 0. 33, p < . 05, 95% CI = 0. 13, 0. 85). Participants who had not had a PSA test in the past year very rarely sought information about PSA tests. Information acquisition in an environment of conflicting recommendations may influence adoption of cancer screening behaviors.
Health communication. 2015 Sep 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Laura Gibson, Andy S L Tan, Derek Freres, Nehama Lewis, Lourdes Martinez, Robert C Hornik
a Annenberg School for Communication , University of Pennsylvania. , a Annenberg School for Communication , University of Pennsylvania. , a Annenberg School for Communication , University of Pennsylvania. , b Department of Communication , University of Haifa. , c Department of Communication , Michigan State University. , a Annenberg School for Communication , University of Pennsylvania.