Knowledge and Attitudes towards Prostate Cancer and Screening among Males in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Ndivhuwo Maladze, Angelina Maphula, Mzamani Maluleke and Lufuno Makhado ()
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Ndivhuwo Maladze: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo, South Africa
Angelina Maphula: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo, South Africa
Mzamani Maluleke: Department of English Media Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo, South Africa
Lufuno Makhado: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: 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. This study explored the awareness, attitudes, and PC screening behaviours among males in the Limpopo, Thulamela municipality. This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 245 males that were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the association between sociodemographic variables, awareness, and attitudes towards PC. Our findings revealed that 64.1% demonstrated inadequate awareness about PC. The overall score (84.9%) showed a positive attitude towards PC. However, 87.4% had a negative attitude towards the effectiveness of treatment for PC. The majority (96.7%) of respondents had never undergone a PSA test, although 53.1% were willing to undergo a PSA test. There was a significant positive correlation between awareness of prostate cancer and attitudes toward prostate cancer (r = 0.280, p < 0.001). Health status predicted awareness about PC, while age and health status predicted attitudes towards PC among men. Rural community-based programmes and heightened awareness campaigns are needed to conscientize men about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of PC in rural areas of Limpopo.

Keywords: prostate cancer; health; attitudes; knowledge; screening; South Africa; Limpopo (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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