Assessment of Knowledge and Practices of Prostate Cancer Screening Among Men in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Victoria Nartey Laweh,Stephen Manortey

doi:10.11648/j.crj.20210901.16

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men 40 years and above globally. Incidence and mortality rates are higher in African men as they grow older. Prostate cancer is amenable to early detection by screening which can prevent and reduce cancer deaths. Unfortunately, it is often detected late in the Ghanaian population due to lack of voluntary screening. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of prostate cancer screening uptake among men in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality (LMKM) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study employed a cross-sectional design that used quantitative methods (structured questionnaire) to collect data from 363 respondents using a multistage sampling technique. Chi-square test statistics were used to estimate the association between the knowledge, practices and perception (dependent variables) and socio-demographic characteristics (independent variable) of respondents. Multiple binary logistic regression model was used to measure the strength of association between the variables at a 95% Confidence Interval. The majority (79.3%) of respondents were of the Ga-Adangme ethnic group, were in the 40-49 years age bracket (44.4%) and married (70.8%). Except for age group, marital status, ethnicity and number of biological children, all socio-demographic characteristics were significantly associated with prostate cancer screening uptake (p 0.05). Only religious affiliation and family history of prostate cancer were significantly associated with perceptions on prostate cancer. The study showed that most men in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality were aware of prostate cancer. This, however, did not translate into practice. Public health interventions should have Ministry of Health liaise with the National Health Insurance Scheme to roll out a free prostate cancer screening and prevention program in the District hospitals to ensure early screening.

Highlights

In recent times, prostate cancer (PC) has made significant health impact globally, and Ghana is no exception
For African-American men, the incidence rates are higher than White men, with 158.3 new cases diagnosed per 100,000 men and their mortality is approximately twice as White men [2]
Men in the Municipality, who are aware of their prostate cancer status, are good candidates to serve as ambassadors, educators, advocates and role models to influence their communities in promoting prostate cancer screening uptake and prevention to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality

Summary

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PC) has made significant health impact globally, and Ghana is no exception. The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer worldwide correlate with increasing age, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being 66 years. For African-American men, the incidence rates are higher than White men, with 158.3 new cases diagnosed per 100,000 men and their mortality is approximately twice as White men [2]. The reasons for this disparity have been hypothesized to differences in social, environmental and genetic factors. According to Ferlay et al (2019), an estimated 2,293,818 cases have been projected until 2040 with a small difference in mortality (an increase of 1.05%) [3]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion