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

Abstract

Background Globally, prostate cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men with the highest mortality rates being in Asia and Africa. The screening rates have been very low among men from developing countries with the majority presenting in advanced stages of the disease. The study aimed to assess the awareness of prostate cancer and screening among men aged 40–69 years in a rural community in Kenya. Methods This cross-sectional mixed-method survey was conducted among men aged 40–69 years. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire among 576 men and a Focus Group Discussion guide among 44 men. The study was conducted in all the community units in Gatundu North and Kiambu Sub-counties, Kenya. Results Five hundred and seventy-six men participated with a response rate of 100%. Of the men interviewed, 84% had ever heard of prostate cancer. Slightly below half (40.6%) of the respondents had ever heard of prostate cancer screening. There was the existence of myths and misconceptions which predominantly associated prostate cancer with sexual behaviors. Overall, 57.3% of the respondents had a low level of awareness of prostate cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer screening was 5%. Willingness to undergo screening in the future was high (81%) among the participants. The most frequently cited (56.9%) reason for lack of willingness to screen was the participant’s belief that they were well. Participants who were aware of prostate cancer screening were more likely to take up screening (OR = 8.472; 95% CI: 1.554- 46.186; P = 0.014). Conclusion Awareness of prostate cancer symptoms, treatment, and screening was low with the existence of myths and misconceptions. The level of prostate cancer screening was abysmally low. It is vital for the Ministry of Health, county governments, and other stakeholders to consider the use of multifaceted approaches to increase public awareness on prostate cancer to enhance informed shared decision making. The study provides relevant information for designing prevention and control programs for prostate cancer.

Barriers and Facilitators to Uptake of Prostate Cancer Screening in a Kenyan Rural Community

“…An important question given our results is the involvement of clinicians in awareness creation and recommendation of screening to at-risk men. A study conducted in Kenya reported that only 10% of the screened men had a recommendation from a health care provider while a majority were not involved in decision-making (7). The need for sensitization of all clinicians on the current screening guidelines cannot be over emphasized.…”

“…The screening guidelines in Kenya recommend individualized risk-based screening through shared decision-making between the client and clinician among men aged 40-69 years (3). The screening rates, however, remain abysmally low despite high intention to screen (7)(8)(9)(10). Unfortunately, the number of men diagnosed with advanced aggressive PC is on the rise with an alarming increase in mortality attributed to low uptake of screening (3,11).…”

“…Unfortunately, the number of men diagnosed with advanced aggressive PC is on the rise with an alarming increase in mortality attributed to low uptake of screening (3,11). Despite equivocal evidence given on the effects of PC screening on mortality, risk-based screening aimed at early treatment initiation is vital (7). The low uptake of PC screening among Kenyan men despite a considerably high level of awareness remains a great puzzle in public health that requires further investigation.…”

Awareness of prostate cancer and its associated factors among men 40 years of age and older in Mizan Aman town, Bench Sheko zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, South West Ethiopia, 2019

“…An American study shows that there is still a low level of awareness of prostate cancer ( 14 ). Also, a cross-sectional study conducted on prostate cancer awareness and screening among men in a rural community in Kenya showed that 57.3% had a low level of awareness ( 15 ). Also, a study conducted in Ethiopia reported a low level of knowledge of prostate cancer, which is 41.2% ( 16 ).…”

Diclofenac predisposes benign prostate hyperplasia in fat feed albino rats

“…2 Native African communities too are known to have a high prevalence of BPH, though this knowledge is a result of increase in awareness, since African men now open up to air such problems. 3,4 Death rate from specific ailments in small communities sends scare message or creates concern among its people. The fact that most African governments tend to ignore health…”