Sociodemographic Determinants of the Level of Knowledge of Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer Screening Services among Patients Attending a Secondary Health Facility in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Late presentation of prostate cancer is rampant in sub-Saharan Africa with attendant high morbidity and mortality. A good knowledge level of prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening services is paramount in preventing late presentation and its management challenges. This study assesses the sociodemographic factors affecting the knowledge level of prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening tools and services among patients attending a secondary health facility in southern Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study amongst men aged 40 years and above attending the general outpatient, surgical outpatient, and medical outpatient clinics in Central Hospital, Auchi, southern Nigeria. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used. Sociodemographic determinants of the knowledge level of prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening were determined based on responses to the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: A total of 143 men participated in this study. Respondents’ age range was between 40 to 98 years with a mean age of 58.91±13.55 years. Overall, 55(38.5%) respondents had good knowledge of prostate cancer while 43(30.1%) had good knowledge of prostate cancer screening. A third (31.2%) think they are at risk of developing prostate cancer, only 9.1% had been screened for prostate cancer. In all, 86.7% of respondents were willing to know more and to be screened in the future. Whereas, age, occupation, average monthly income, and level of education were the statistically significant sociodemographic predictors of level of knowledge of prostate cancer, the only factors that influenced the level of knowledge of prostate cancer screening services were occupation and educational status. Conclusion: Knowledge level about prostate cancer disease and prostate cancer screening services was low among men attending outpatient clinics in Auchi Central Hospital. Respondents’ age, occupation, average monthly income, and level of education significantly affect their prostate cancer knowledge level while knowledge of prostate cancer screening services was determined by the occupation and educational status of the respondents. Interventional campaigns aimed at increasing the knowledge level about prostate cancer and screening services are urgently required.