Knowledge, attitude and practices of men above 40 years old about prostate cancer in Ggaba-Makindye division KCCA, Uganda

Abstract

The research is about knowledge, attitude and practices of men above 40 years old about prostate cancer in Ggaba-makindye division KCCA, Uganda Background: Prostate cancer remains a global problem and second most cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer among men in Uganda with the age-standardised incidence rate of 48 per 100000 hence the highest rate observed in Africa. Main objective: To assess current knowledge, attitude, and practices of men above 40 years old about prostate cancer in Ggaba-makindye east division, KCCA, UGANDA. Subjects and methods: In this study adult men above 40years but less than 75 years old and staying in Ggaba parish were targeted. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done, interviewers administered questionnaires among 99 adult men aged between 40-75 years, residing in Ggaba parish located in makindye division in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Quantitative data was analysed with Microsoft Excel and SPSS version20. Results: 46.5% were aged between 40-50years. 64.6% had never heard of prostate cancer and 35.4% had heard about it. 15.2% knew someone with prostate cancer. only 10.1% knew the symptoms of prostate cancer. 25.5% knew of prostate cancer screening method(s). 28.3 % thought they might develop prostate cancer and 38.4 % thought are at higher risk. 45.5% have never had a thorough medical examination. Conclusions: low levels of knowledge, negative attitudes, misconceptions and poor practices towards prostate cancer among the study population. Recommendations: knowledge centers should be set up as well as holding continuous television and radio talk shows to educate this study population.