Knowledge, Perceived Risk and Utilization of Prostate Cancer Screening Services among Men in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background Late diagnosis of prostate cancer is common in low and middle income countries and contributes to high morbidity and mortality of the disease. Utilization of prostate cancer screening services plays a major role in prevention of adverse outcomes. However, there is limited information on the knowledge about, the perceived risk of, and the utilization of prostate cancer screening in Tanzania. Objective To determine knowledge and perceived risk of prostate cancer, and the utilization of prostate cancer screening services, and associated factors, among men in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Design A population-based cross-sectional study involving men aged 40 years and above living in Dar es Salaam was conducted between May and August, 2018. Methodology Participants were recruited through multistage random sampling and took part in structured face-to-face interviews. Categorical variables were summarized using proportions while continuous variables were summarized as medians and inter-quarterly range (IQR). Chi square test was used to compare differences between proportions, and logistic regression modelling was used to determine factors associated with utilization of prostate cancer screening. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, are reported. All analyses were two-tailed and the significance level set at 5%. Results A total of 388 men with a median age of 53 years (IQR 44–55) participated. Half (52.1%) had poor knowledge about prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening. A third (32.3%, n = 125) perceived the risk of prostate cancer to be low. Only 30 respondents (7.7%) had ever been screened for prostate cancer. Utilization of prostate cancer screening services was independently associated with age above 60 years [AOR = 21.46, 95% CI: 6.23, 73.93], monthly income above 305 US Dollars [AOR = 15.68, 95% CI: 4.60, 53.48], the perceived risk of prostate cancer [AOR = 16.34, 95% CI: 7.82, 14.92] and knowledge about prostate cancer [AOR = 67.71, 95% CI: 8.20, 559.57]. Conclusions Knowledge about prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening services was low among men in Dar es Salaam with a third perceiving themselves to be at no risk for the disease. Utilization of screening services was low and associated with low income, younger age, low perceived risk of prostate cancer and low knowledge about the disease. Intervention measures aiming to increase knowledge about prostate cancer and screening services, and affordable provision of services, are urgently called for.

Prostate cancer awareness and screening among men in a rural community in Kenya: a cross-sectional study

“…A similar low screening rate was reported in a study conducted in the Eastern region of Kenya among men aged above 25 years where the screening rate was 2.6% [21]. Our findings are congruent with a study conducted in Tanzania which reported a screening rate of 7.7% among men aged above 40 years [11]. Similar studies conducted among African men have reported low levels of screening [9,10].…”

“…A similar study conducted in Tanzania reported low levels of awareness on PC. [11] Similarly, a study conducted in South Africa reported low levels of awareness on PC and screening [22]. These findings are also congruent with other studies conducted among men of African origin across countries.…”

“…However, despite high mortality occurring in developing countries like Kenya due to PC, the screening rates are still very low. This has been associated with various barriers including low knowledge and awareness level and negative beliefs [8][9][10][11].…”

Awareness about prostate cancer and its screening in Medina, Jeddah, and Makkah, Saudi Arabia population

“…[ 20 ] Similar findings have also emerged from other countries such as Tanzania and Nigeria, indicating their poor knowledge about PCa and its screening. [ 25 27 ]…”

Clinical, Histopathological, and Prognostic Characteristics of Patients with Prostate Cancer in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…The delay in diagnosis is linked to the natural history of PCa but also to the apprehensions that men had coming to see the urologist. In addition, there are a lack of information and awareness-raising policy among the population on this condition and difficulties in accessing PCa screening services [ 11 ].…”