Prostate cancer knowledge and barriers to screening among men at risk in northern Tanzania: A community-based study

• Published in: Cancer treatment and research communications Vol. 39; p. 100811
• Main Authors: Ngowi, Bartholomeo Nicholaus, Mremi, Alex, Mbwambo, Orgeness Jasper, Mitao, Modesta Paschal, Nyindo, Mramba, Mteta, Kien Alfred, Mmbaga, Blandina Theophil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Early Detection of Cancer - statistics & numerical data; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Knowledge; Male; Mass Screening - methods; Mass Screening - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Northern Tanzania; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tanzania - epidemiology; Tanzania; Northern Tanzania; Knowledge; Prostate cancer
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2024.100811
• ISSN: 2468-2942

•Only 9.5 % of men who are at risk for developing prostate cancer in northern Tanzania have ever being screened.•Majority of men who are at risk of developing prostate cancer have poor knowledge of the disease.•Having prostate cancer knowledge is important facilitator for screening among at risk men.•False belief on seriousness of prostate cancer and its screening methods, particularly digital rectal examination hinder screening. Although prostate cancer (Pca) screening plays important role in early diagnosis and reduction of mortality, Tanzanian men are relatively unscreened. We aimed to investigate Pca knowledge level and barriers to screening among at-risk men in northern Tanzania. This community-based survey was conducted in northern Tanzania from May to September 2022, involving men age ≥40 years. Participants were invited by announcing in local churches, mosques, brochures, and social media groups. Participants attended a nearby health facility where survey questionnaires were administered. Knowledge level was measured on the Likert scale and scored as poor (<50 %) or good (≥50 %). A total of 6205 men with a mean age of 60.23 ± 10.98 years were enrolled in the study. Of these, 586 (9.5 %) had ever been screened for Pca. Overall, 1263 men (20.4 %) had good knowledge of Pca. Having health insurance, knowing at least 1 risk factor or symptoms of Pca, and hospital as the source of Pca information were significantly associated with ever being screened. The most common reasons for not being screened were a belief that they are healthy (n = 2983; 53.1 %), that Pca is not a serious disease (n = 3908; 69.6 %), and that digital rectal examination (DRE) as an embarrassing (n = 3634; 64.7 %) or harmful (n = 3047; 54.3 %) procedure. Having Pca knowledge, health insurance and hospital source of information were correlated with increased screening. False beliefs about DRE and the seriousness of Pca had negative effects on screening. Increasing community knowledge and universal health coverage would improve uptake of Pca screening.