Table 3.
Intentions to Engage in Colorectal Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Black and White Adults Who Tested a VHA-Delivered Intervention
| Intentions | Definition | Insights/Communication Strategies | Participant Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information seeking intentions |
Wanting to talk to someone about screening or learn more about personal cancer risk from a trusted source | Similarities: All participants expressed interest in receiving CRC screening information from the VHA and responded positively to new information. Differences: Black adults liked the idea of receiving information from the novel source. White adults wanted to talk to a doctor, engage in additional research, or contact another source in addition to the VHA. Potential communication strategies: This novel source (e.g., a VHA) may have a specific appeal for Black adults. Framing a VHA as a new way to get information vs. as a way to connect you with existing resources may be useful to engage audiences with different information seeking orientations. |
BW: It convinced me to go ahead and do this, to talk to my doctor about this. (P19) BM: On this little app thing, when can I contact you if me and brother-doctor [VHA] here clash on certain issues? (P152) WW: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but I just think you really ultimately, you’re gonna have to go to a doctor. (P77) WM: It was enough to make me wanna look further into it. (P131) WM: I think it would be really nice if this [app] actually gave you references for the studies that back up the thing this guy is saying, and actually gives you a link so you can actually read those. (P81) |
|
| |||
| Information sharing intentions |
Wanting to share the information learned or share the intervention with friends and/or family members | Similarities: Most participants wanted to share content with friends, family, and others. Differences: Black participants expressed a strong desire for screening information to be shared with people at younger ages than the recommended age for CRC screening (e.g., children, grandchildren). Potential communication strategies: To enhance perceived utility, enable easy and secure platforms for users to share content with others. |
BW: You’ve heard of the game “telephone”? By the time it gets back around to you it’s different. It’s the same thing. I would rather give them, from the horse’s mouth [the VHA]. (P22) BW: It would help save somebody else also. If I can help save a life, or help prevent this from coming about? I would tell the world, you know? (P3) BM: I would definitely share it, even with the teenagers. I’d share it with them right now. (P126) WW: If I used it myself and liked it, I’d share it. (P78) WM: That’s right! Get the football players to sign autographs, you get a free jersey if you watch it. Or a free ticket! (P98) |
|
| |||
| CRC screening intentions | Discussing the intention to engage in CRC screening (includes expressing a desire to screen without explicit preference, expressing a desire to avoid screening) | Similarities: Participants were interested in pursuing CRC screening, saw it as important, and saw FIT as an easy way to screen. Differences: For Black adults’ previous negative experiences with healthcare may affect screening decisions. White adults may be more influenced by perceptions of accuracy and process. Potential communication strategies: Visual demonstrations of the screening process may enhance screening intentions. Incorporate user preferences and lived experience. Address the user’s feelings (e.g., what modalities do they trust and why). |
BW: It’s good that you do have a choice, that they’re giving you a choice now, whether you can do it with the FIT or the old way. (P13) BM: I’ve been through the FIT test, and I can tell you most men of our age and our color, we have that feelin’. That’s why I asked about, do they put you to sleep? I’m a do the FIT. (P154) WW: I actually might have that [FIT] done. (P8) WM: I guess I’m old-fashioned. I’d rather have a colonoscopy where they scope and they see what’s up there. If somethin’ there, they scrape it, take it, and biopsy it right then and there. (P131) WM: I kind of question whether it might be better to drop [the FIT sample] off in person, than to trust the US mail. Not that I don’t trust … but that’s a very unusual thing to put in the mail. It’s the kind of thing that young people are going to make jokes about and that’s gonna make me mad and that’s gonna jack my blood pressure again. (P82) |
Note. BM = Black man, BW = Black woman, CRC = colorectal cancer, VHA = virtual health assistant, WM = White man, WW = White woman.