PATIENT KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE CONCERNING CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Inadequate knowledge and poor attitudes about prostate cancer (PC) negatively affect early screening practices among males. The PC mortality rate is increasing due to late reporting, screening, and treatment.
Objectives: This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and early diagnosis of prostate cancer among males in Fallujah state, Iraq.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 150 males who visit outpatient clinics (Urology Consultation) at Fallujah teaching hospital, Iraq. Study period extended from 18th September 2023, to 20th January, 2024. Non-probability purposive sampling was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, the data was collected from December 20th, January 2st ,2022. The data collected was analysed SPSS version 26. Chi-Square was used to examine the association between sociodemographic variables, knowledge, and attitudes towards PC.
Results: One hundred and fifty (150) men participated in the study. Participants ranged from 40 to 60 years, with a mean age of 48.4. The majority of men, 153 (90.0 %), were married, while 10 (6.7%) were single. Nearly more than third of all participants (37.3%) hold bachelor education. Our findings revealed that 55.3% demonstrated inadequate knowlege about PC, in addition nearly to half of participant 44.7% had adequate knowlege. The overall mean score (97.3%) showed had positive attitude towards PC. However, 2.7% had a negative attitude towards PC. There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes toward prostate cancer (r = 0.033, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The study found that most men in the study area had inadequate knowlege toward contrubuting factors of prostate cancer, only a small percentage had a fair knowledge of prostate cancer screening, with a strong positive perception of screening. The study highlights the need to increase awareness of prostate cancer screening in Fallujah state, Iraq.