Authors: Ezeama MC, Enwereji EE.
Introduction: The aim of the study is to determine the knowledge and attitude of men towards screening for prostate cancer in Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. The study assessed the level of awareness of men on the risk factors of prostate cancer. This was done so as to ascertain the extent to which prostate cancer screening methods as provided by the health workers are accepted. This helped to show the attitudes towards screening for prostate cancer.
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total sample of 120 men receiving screening services during the period of study were used. Questionnaire was used as the method for data collection. This was both administered and self-administered. Data were analyzed using frequency tables.
Results: The findings revealed that majority of the men, 84 (70%) were aware of methods of prostate cancer screening while 36 (30%) were not aware. On the knowledge about preferred types of screening measures, majority of the respondents 108 (90%) identified PSA test while 12 (10%) had no preferred prostate cancer method. The respondents’ attitude towards uptake of prostate cancer screening methods, showed a positive attitude as majority of the respondents had a mean score of 44.6 with an average mean score of 2.8. However, the knowledge on risk factors of prostate cancer showed low knowledge with a mean score of 21.6.
Conclusion: The fact that a good number of the respondents had low knowledge on the risk factors for prostate cancer, presupposes the need for healthcare workers to health educate men on the risk factors of prostate cancer as well as the benefits of regular prostate cancer screening so as to increase prostate cancer screening uptake thereby, reduce the prevalence of prostate cancer.
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