FACTORS INFLUENCING UPTAKE OF PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING AMONG MEN AGED 40YEARS AND ABOVE IN MUKONO MUNICIPALITY, UGANDA

Abstract

Worldwide, prostate cancer (PC) remains the most common cancer among men aged 40years and above. In sub-Saharan Africa, routine screening for PC has remained low, leading to reduced detection rates, poor management and increased mortality from the disease. The study was carried out in Mukono Municipality, Uganda to determine the individual characteristics and health system factors that influence uptake of PC screening among men aged 40years and above in order to inform the design of appropriate interventions for improving early detection and treatment outcomes of men who develop prostate cancer Using a cross sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the study employed simple random sampling techniques to collect data from 385 men aged 40years and above. Data was later analyzed using descriptive statistics to derive means, frequencies and standard deviations as well as inferential statistics to derive odds ratios and significances using logistic regression and multivariate analysis. Key informant interviews were purposively conducted to add power to the study. The study found out that more than half 212 (55%) of the respondents were men aged 40 - 50years, with post-primary 245 (63.6%) as their highest level of education. Majority 308 (80%) of the respondents were married, 316 (82.1%) were Christians while 294 (76.4%) were informally employed. More than half 209 (54.3%) of the respondents lacked knowledge on PC screening, while 197 (51%) were not aware of the consequences of Prostate cancer. Uptake of PC screening was very low at 8%. The study concluded that occupation, awareness of consequences of PC and knowledge levels on PC screening significantly influence uptake of PC screening. The study recommends that community awareness and knowledge levels on PC screening needs to be increased to achieve increased uptake levels for PC screening among men at risk of developing the disease.