Attitude, Perceived Risk and Intention to Screen for Prostate Cancer by Adult Men in Kasikeu Sub Location, Makueni County, Kenya

Author(s):

Mutua Kinyao and Gabriel Kishoyian*

Background: Prostate cancer is increasingly becoming one of the most significant health problems facing Kenyan men and the commonest cause of cancer related death in men globally. Though increased survival rates occur when the diagnosis is done early, the disease is typically detected at a more advanced stage while participation in prostate cancer screening is extremely low. In addition, due to the aging population and population growth, the expected numbers will increase in forthcoming years. Thus, prevention and early detection has immense public health importance. Objective: This study assessed the attitude, perceived risk and intention to screen for prostate cancer by adult men in Kenya. Method: This study was conducted to identify factors associated with intention to be tested for prostate cancer risk among adult men in Kasikeu Sub location, Makueni County, Kenya. An analytical cross-sectional study design using quantitative methods was used. This was achieved through the use of Thomas Jefferson University Prostate Cancer Screening Survey questionnaire using face to face interviews. A sample of 155 men participated in the study and was selected using random selection. Screening for prostate specific antigen (PSA) within the next six months was done and explanatory variables namely attitude, social influence and perceived risk determine. Results: The sample population was aged between 25 to 94 years of age (mean 49.8, SD 16.7). The results indicated that all the men had heard of prostate cancer, but only 3.1% of the men had knowledge (causes and treatment); 2.4% had tested for prostate cancer, and 43.6 percent of the men intended to be tested in the next six months. There was no significant association between demographic factors such as marital status, religion, education level and screening intent (p>0.05). Variables that were significantly associated with intent to screen for cancer were attitude, social influence and perceived risk (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is need for increase health strategies to increase prostate cancer awareness, screening rates which are culturally sensitive and geared toward those living in rural areas with low education levels. In addition, health education should be geared toward modifying men’s attitudes about PSA screening and target socially influential people in their lives especially the family. Recommendations: Qualitative studies could provide a more in depth understanding of perceived barriers to prostate cancer screening. This may provide health care professionals with the information they need to implement strategies to address these barriers, in order to increase prostate cancer screening in Kenyan men and ultimately decrease the rate of mortality from prostate cancer.