Abstract

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• The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize the knowledge about the prostate gland, the attitudes towards the prostate problems, medications and physicians and the consulting behaviors of Canadian men 50 years of age or older; and, (2) to identify individual groupings based on these characteristics. A population-based, epidemiologic study of Canadian men 50 years of age or older, identified by a modified random digit dialing method, was undertaken via home telephone interviews. A total of 19 359 calls yielded a probability sample of 508 Canadian men 50 years of age or older who could participate in the study. A cluster analysis was conducted to determine whether respondents could be categorized based on their responses and attitudes. The results of the study indicate that many educational opportunities exist with regard to urinary complaints of men 50 years of age or older. Furthermore, it may be possible to identify individuals who will be more difficult than others to educate and treat.