Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Prostate cancer is common among men, and awareness can reduce associated
deaths. Low knowledge of prostate cancer screening and wrong perceptions about prostate
cancer leads to poor screening practices.
Purpose of study: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices
towards prostate cancer screening among men aged 40-60 years attending St. Stephen hospital,
Kampala district.
Study design; The research utilized a descriptive cross-sectional approach, employing
quantitative data collection techniques via a questionnaire. Thirty men were included in the study
sample, selected through a simple random sampling method. Data analysis was performed using
Microsoft Excel and Word 2013, with findings presented using tables, pie charts, and graphs.
Results; the results indicated that 10(33.3%) were between 40-44 years, 12(40%) were
employed, 16(53.3%) were married and 10(33.3%) had attained secondary level. Regarding
knowledge, 24(80%) knew about PC screening, majority of the respondents said that PC
screening is a test or examination done to rule out prostate cancer 16(53.3%), majority said that
older men should be screened for prostate cancer 16(53.3%), majority said prostate cancer is
tested using prostate specific antigen test 18(60%), 20(67%) said they don’t know the importance
of prostate cancer screening and majority of the respondents said that the age for screening
prostate cancer is 41 and above 11(36.6%). Regarding attitude, 15(50%) were undecided about
PC screening, majority of the respondents agreed that they fear going for prostate cancer
screening because of positive and 15(50%) disagreed that prostate cancer screening is not
embarrassing and not painful. Regarding practices, 6(20%) were screened for PC, 16(53.3%) did
not know that it’s done, 20(66.7%) said it’s done from hospitals, 22(73%) were not prepared.
Conclusion: The study revealed good knowledge about prostate cancer screening, poor attitudes
about prostate cancer screening and a low uptake of prostate cancer screening among men of St
Stephen hospital, Kampala.
Recommendations: With support, and funding from the Government of Uganda and the nongovernment organizations through the Ministry of Health, I recommend that more prostate
cancer screening departments be established on a health Centre level, services provided should
be free of charge, prostate cancer screening messages should be broadcasted in all languages to
the public.
Nursing implication: Nurses play a critical role in conducting routine assessment of men’s
knowledge, attitude, and practices towards prostate cancer and provide education counseling
about prostate cancer screening.