Year: 2023 | Month: November | Volume: 13 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 100-108
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20231113
Knowledge of Prostate Cancer Among Men with Urinary Tract Infections at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya
Catherine Kaimenyi1, Lucy K. Gitonga1, Catherine Gichunge1, Stephen Kainga1
1School of Nursing and Public Health, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya
Corresponding Author: Catherine Kaimenyi
ABSTRACT
Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with cancer significantly contribute to the increasing non-communicable disease burden. Cancer affects populations across the lifespan but its diagnosis is disproportionately higher in later years of life. The Sub-Saharan Africa region, Kenya included has a high incidence of prostate cancer. Meru County has significantly contributed to the rising incidences of cancer including cancer of the prostate (19.4%). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level of PCa among men with UTIs and determine the associated factors.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey sixty-five men with UTIs were purposively sampled at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, outpatient department. A semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used to capture participant demographic data, anthropometric details and knowledge of PCa. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (v.27) and was presented in tables and graphs.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 61.8(±13.5). The majority were married (73.8%) and most were living in rural parts of Meru County (72.3%). Almost 2/3 had primary education and above (64.6%). There were more Christian participants (83.1%). History of BPH and PCa was reported by 43.1% and 32.3% of the participants respectively. The highly and recognized risk factors were older age and use of alcohol and tobacco (87.7%). The highly recognized signs and symptoms for PCa were incomplete emptying of the bladder (96.9%). Participants had high knowledge of PCa risk factors (68.9%) and signs and symptoms (82.7%). In general, participants had high knowledge of PCa (69.2%), a mean score of 76.6 % (±17.23) and a range of 27-100. The knowledge level of PCa was associated with the level of education [((1, χ2n=65) = 6.532, p = 0.038] although it was not a significant predictor.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Men ≥40 years with UTIs are highly knowledgeable about PCa risk factors and signs and symptoms. There is a need to establish if the high knowledge translates to the prevention of the disease.
Key words: Knowledge; prostate cancer; Urinary Tract Infections; Kenya