TY - JOUR
T1 - Prostate cancer awareness and attitude toward early detection among male soldiers in Ghana
T2 - a cross-sectional study
AU - Necku, Juliana Gyasi
AU - Anaba, Emmanuel Anongeba
AU - Abuosi, Aaron Asibi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, The Author(s).
PY - 2019/12/1
Y1 - 2019/12/1
N2 - Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in Ghana. This poses a public health threat, especially among the Ghana Armed Force (GAF) where the majority are males. This study aimed to assess male soldiers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes toward early detection of prostate cancer. Results: It was found that 58.3% of the soldiers were less aware of PC and 76.0% had low or neutral knowledge regarding risk factors and symptoms of PC. The soldiers had positive attitudes toward early detection but had low intentions of getting tested. Awareness was significantly associated with education, rank, haven received PC information from a health worker and being knowledgeable of signs of PC. Conclusion: We recommend that management of the GAF should liaise with the Ministry of Health to sensitize and educate soldiers on prostate cancer, and if possible, organize periodic screening activities for the soldiers to aid in early detection and effective management of the disease. The findings of this study provide valuable information for health interventions in Ghana.
AB - Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in Ghana. This poses a public health threat, especially among the Ghana Armed Force (GAF) where the majority are males. This study aimed to assess male soldiers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes toward early detection of prostate cancer. Results: It was found that 58.3% of the soldiers were less aware of PC and 76.0% had low or neutral knowledge regarding risk factors and symptoms of PC. The soldiers had positive attitudes toward early detection but had low intentions of getting tested. Awareness was significantly associated with education, rank, haven received PC information from a health worker and being knowledgeable of signs of PC. Conclusion: We recommend that management of the GAF should liaise with the Ministry of Health to sensitize and educate soldiers on prostate cancer, and if possible, organize periodic screening activities for the soldiers to aid in early detection and effective management of the disease. The findings of this study provide valuable information for health interventions in Ghana.
KW - Attitudes
KW - Cancer
KW - Ghana
KW - Knowledge
KW - Prostate
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077617158&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12301-019-0004-3
DO - 10.1186/s12301-019-0004-3
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85077617158
SN - 1110-5704
VL - 25
JO - African Journal of Urology
JF - African Journal of Urology
IS - 1
M1 - 5
ER -