Table 3.

Key features of barbershop-based studies

Barbershop-based study feature	Description
Services provided by barbers	Common services Blood pressure measurements, hypertension education, prostate cancer education, general health education
	Less common services BMI cholesterol testing, diabetes testing, heart rate test, STD and HIV education, condom distribution, referrals to healthcare
Characteristics of training programs	Examples of training included: checking blood pressure with sphygmomanometers, first aid training, prostate screening guidelines, STD and HIV testing and prevention, popular education
Outcomes targeted	Common outcomes targeted Blood pressure control, knowledge of hypertension risk factors, talking to your physician, knowledge of prostate cancer risk factors and screening, feasibility outcomes for training barbers and delivering services, developing health education materials in partnership with barbers and customers
	Less common outcomes targeted Blood sugar level reduction, knowledge of diabetes risk factors, cholesterol reduction
Highlights of some study findings	Working coalition must be in place before major project is undertaken, and must have strong community support. Limits on number of blood pressure measurements taken at barbershops. Need ongoing support from project leaders. Limits must be set of number of blood pressure measurements done in shops by barbers. Recommend using ethnically and culturally appropriate videos. Publicize the event as screening opportunity (Ferdinand [10])
	Barber knowledge increased from 51.4 to 75.7 (p < .05). 42 % of barbers had knowledge of PSA; 31 % barbers said man can lead normal life with prostate cancer. Language, lack of insurance, immigration status as barriers to care. Significant changes in knowledge from pre- to post-test and from post-test to 3-month follow-up. Decrease in knowledge from post-test to 3-month follow-up suggests the need for booster training session. Not necessary to differentially present the curriculum based on African American vs. Caribbean ethnicity (Fraser et al. [18])
	Working with Barbershop Advisory Council “lead” proprietor, 66-100 % of clients were African American, percentage of clients 40–70 ranged from 20–85 %, men 40–70 get their haircut twice/month, men 40–70 get haircuts on Thursdays and Saturdays. There were overwhelming positive reactions regarding health education programs and research. There was a fair amount of variability in the clientele served by African American barbershops with regard to race and age. Barbershop proprietors expressed varied levels of interests in having their shops serve as a venue to conduct prostate cancer educational research (Hart et al. [17])
	Barbers needed to be trained, want credentials for wall. Barbers use visual aids and/or print materials. If barbers were cancer survivors, it would add credibility. Intervention protocol and package of educational materials developed and pilot tested with input from African American men, 2 community health advisor manuals (1 prostate cancer & colorectal cancer, 1 diabetes/hypertension), educational booklet on informed decision making for prostate cancer screening and on colorectal cancer screening, poster, evaluation materials/protocols. Barbers are less familiar with issues surrounding colorectal cancer than prostate cancer. Printed materials fit better in the barbershop environment and the educator/client interaction. Credibility is very important and is enhanced by being a survivor and having and displaying certification documents (Holt et al. [19])
	Recruitment cost for each of 90 customers was $105.92, costs for training 11 part-time research assistants, staffing (182 person hours), travel costs, cash incentives, and equipment. Customer statistics: mean BMI was 29, 20 % normal, 43 % overweight, 20 % obese 1, 10 % obese II/III, waist 38 in. seated heart rate = 75 beats/min, step test 106 beats/min; BP 134/79, 49 % had elevated BP, 70 % interested in physical activity, 79 % interested in contest. Feasibility to recruit African American men through barbershop was demonstrated. Customers interested in learning more about physical activity in shops. Referral method yielded the best study participation (Linnan et al. [29])
	90 % of customers attended same barbershop year round, customers ranked risk factors correctly after receiving education from the barber—family history, age, African American background, and diet. 78 % said educational materials increased knowledge of prostate cancer; 53 % had discussed prostate cancer twice in last month with a friend or family member (Luque et al. [20])
	Absolute group difference of 8.8 % (p = .04) in hypertension control rate, increasing more in intervention group compared to control group participants. Greater change in hypertension control among intervention group participants after adjustment for covariates (p = .03) (Victor et al. [21])