2Department of Sociology/Anthropology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka-Nigeria
3EI Paso Educational Leadership and Foundations, University of Texas, Texas-USA DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2024.4179 OBJECTIVE
Awareness and screening exercise on prostate cancer health related issues among the rural population is still interfered with by the socio-cultural and economic challenges affecting the developing nations. This is yet to be empirically explored in some regions such as southeast Nigeria. The paper explored prostate cancer awareness and screening exercise among some 1080 men (30+) in rural southeast Nigeria.
METHODS
The study was guided by Health Belief Model, while survey design and quantitative data gathering techniques
were deployed in collecting data from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were
utilized in probing the prevalence of awareness about prostate cancer/screening practices, and the relationship
of these and other variables.
RESULTS
According to the findings, there is a poor awareness about prostate cancer and related symptoms
(31.2%) and poor regular prostate cancer screening practices among the respondents (11%). Prostate
cancer awareness is significantly correlated with age (p<0.000, b=-0.618, Exp(B)=0.539), marital
status (p<0.000, b=1.239, Exp(B)=3.452), occupation (p<0.000, b=-2.474, Exp(B)=0.084), education
(p<0.000, b=1.239, Exp(B)=3.452), income (p<0.002, b=-0.476, Exp(B)=0.621) and having seen
someone living with prostate cancer (p<0.000, b=3.927, Exp(B)=50.742). Regular screening exercise
is predicted by age (p<0.000, b=0.054, t=4.706), marital status (p<0.000, b=-0.110, t=-5.309), education
(p<0.02, b=0.047, t=2.557), occupation (p<0.000, b=0.090, t=4.484) and source of prostate cancer
awareness (p<0.02, b=0.052, t=2.366).
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that prostate cancer screening practices are heavily dependent on the socioeconomic
realities among the population.