Assessment of male patients' knowledge, Attitude and practice regarding prostate cancer screening at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Aruba’s Clinic, Calabar

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer screening is not common in the majority of developing nations, and men's knowledge of the condition and available screening techniques for early diagnosis is generally restricted.

Aim the study aim at examining male patients' knowledge attitude and practice regarding prostate screening at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Aruba’s Clinic. This study used a descriptive survey technique.

Method: A convenience sampling technique was used to select 144 respondents. The questionnaire was the adopted tool for data collection thus undergoes both validity and reliability of the subject. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, percentages, frequency and regression analysis.

Results: Findings of the study reveals that men's knowledge levels are a strong predictor of their propensity to screen for prostate cancer (R2= .109; F = 102.165). Attitude of men is a significant predictor of the practice of prostate cancer screening (R2 of .749; F = 2459.458), findings further revealed that men's practices are a strong predictor of prostate cancer screening practices (R2= .100; F-value of 92.077).

Conclusion: it was concluded that respondents' occupation, educational attainment, awareness, and reliance on their doctors to encourage screening were all factors related with their uptake of prostate cancer screening.  It was recommended that informed decision-making, in which men consult with their doctors to learn about the nature and risks of prostate cancer, understand the benefits and risks of the screening tests, and determine whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate.